Lisa A. Elferink, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Edna Seinsheimer Levin Endowed Professorship
in Cancer Studies
email:  laelferi@utmb.edu

Trafficking and Receptor Signaling

Our research program focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking membrane trafficking with receptor-signaling.  Membrane trafficking is important for normal neural and cell function, including neurotransmitter release, neurite extension, cell migration and invasion during normal development or migration, and pathogen entry by phagocytosis. Recent studies have shown a requirement for early endocytic trafficking in ligand-activated receptor signaling.  Using a combination of molecular (e.g. mutagenesis), genetic (yeast-two hybrid), biochemical (protein-protein interactions) and cellular (recombinant viruses, confocal microscopy and digital imaging) approaches, we are examining functionally important protein-protein interactions for trafficking through early endosomes and how they regulate the signaling properties of receptor-tyrosine kinases.  Understanding these processes is critical for defining how the endocytic trafficking of receptor tyrosine kinases regulates normal cell function.  Our goal is to identify novel targets for drug development aimed at treating human diseases involving aberrant receptor signaling in vivo.