Cell and Developmental Biology
Associate Director of CMB
Research Interests:
Our laboratory investigates the formation and progression of pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal human malignancies. We study embryonic signaling pathways, such as Hedgehog and Wnt, which are activated during pancreatic carcinogenesis. The Hedgehog signaling pathway is not active in healthy adult pancreas. However, in pre-malignant lesions and in invasive pancreatic cancer Hedgehog signaling becomes activated via overexpression of one of the ligands, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh).
Director of CMB
Pharmacology, Associate Professor
Accepting New Students?
Yes
Research Interests:
The Puthenveedu lab studies how receptor signaling pathways are organized in the cell, focusing on GPCRs relevant to drug addiction. We investigate the exciting new idea that signaling is specified not just by the drug/receptor pair, but also by where in the cell the receptors are located. We use innovative microscopy and molecular genetic techniques to directly track receptor trafficking and function in real time in living cells. The long-term goal is to identify factors that will allow us to actively relocate receptors to specific sites in the cell to fine-tune signaling.