Recurrence of cancer in the form of metastatic disease accounts for more than 90% of cancer patient deaths; however, tumor metastasis is considered an inefficient process and disseminated tumor cells can remain indolent for long periods of time...
Lipid signaling in immunity and inflammatory disease
My laboratory studies the biology of the bioactive lipid mediator- sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a fundamental regulator of immune and vascular systems. The vertebrate immune system co-evolved with the...
How nutrient uptake and utilization is altered in cancer, how the host systemic metabolic state can influence these alterations and in turn, get affected by tumor growth and metabolism, are major focus areas in our lab.
Altered metabolism is a hallmark of...
Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (UBL) protein conjugation systems control a vast array of cellular processes, and impact virtually every biological system. In this process, UBLs are activated through an activation and conjugation cascade before attachment to...
Our lab has focused on understanding cell morphogenesis, cell proliferation, and cell signaling by combining biochemical, cell biological, and embryological approaches. We are also interested in the evolution of vertebrates through studies of hemichordate...
Research in the Roberts laboratory is centered on kinases, kinase inhibitors, and cancer. We work in a variety of model systems and utilize approaches varying from systems biology to mouse genetics. For instance, we have adapted telomerase immortalized...
Immune-mediated diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are not caused by an isolated insult resulting in a single dysfunctional gene or pathway, but rather a systemic dysregulation of multiple genes and pathways. Our group uses methods in...
My lab studies the interplay between the gut microbiome and the immune system and how their “miscues” can lead to autoimmune diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes. As a 2013 BBS grad, I understand what it takes to have a successful Ph.D. experience.
The...
The heart, like all internal organs, has its own local mini-brain. Nerve cells designed to sense the microenvironment connect to other neurons and to heart muscle and to pacemaker cells. This circuit sends signals to the brain and, in turn, is regulated...
