Tools to perturb and image Wnt signaling

Joint Organic/Biochemistry Seminar Series

Our research program is centered on two themes. The first involves the development of tools for pharmacological validation of novel drug targets in cancer signaling and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, we have been investigating protein-targeting strategies for disrupting the Wnt signaling pathway in cancer. Dissecting novel protein-protein interactions that regulate Wnt signaling enhances our understanding of the pathway at a molecular level, and enables development of targeted therapeutics against it. The second focus area in our lab is the development of chemical tools for monitoring protein posttranslational modifications in single cells. For example, we recently developed fatty acid analogues for imaging myristoylated and palmitoylated proteins. Both of these themes will be discussed during the seminar.

For more information contact Prof. Wendy Kelly (404-385-1154).