Signal Transduction The department is rich in research devoted to the analysis of signal transduction pathways and their role in normal physiological processes and disease. These include studies into the basic mechanisms of signaling by oxidizing and free radical inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, steroids, parathyroid hormone, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic hormones, and rhodopsin. Various cell biological, forward and reverse genetic, molecular biological and biophysical approaches are used to dissect the molecular mechanisms utilized by intracellular mediators of signal transduction including cell surface receptors, nuclear receptors, caveolin, protein kinases, protein phosphatases and lipid kinases. Faculty Aird, Katherine Associate Professor kaa140@pitt.edu 412-623-7709 Altschuler, Daniel Associate Professor G-protein signaling mechanisms in mitogenesis and oncogenesis altschul@pitt.edu 412.648.9751 Barchowsky, Aaron Professor, Environmental and Occupational HealthThe main focus of the research in the Barchowsky laboratory is the cellular and molecular mechanisms for pathogenic tissue remodeling and metabolic dysfunction caused by environmental metals exposures. The core theme of the research has been on meta... aab20@pitt.edu 412-624-8864 Bisello, Alessandro Professor & Vice Chair for Experiential LearningStructure, signaling and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors. Role of EBP50 in vascular remodeling and role of GLP-1 in pancreatic beata cell function. alb138@pitt.edu 412-648-7347 Chan, Stephen Professor of MedicineWe are a basic science and translational research group studying the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) – an example of an enigmatic disease where reductionistic studies have primarily focused on end-st... chansy@pitt.edu or chansy@upmc.edu 412-383-6990 DeFranco, Donald Professor & Executive Vice Chair, Associate Dean for Medical Student ResearchGlucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer. dod1@pitt.edu 412-624-4259 Freeman, Bruce Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and ChairCell Signaling; Redox Reactions freerad@pitt.edu 412-648-9319 Friedman, Peter ProfessorParathyroid hormone receptor trafficking, regulation, signaling. paf10@pitt.edu 412-383-7783 Galbiati, Ferruccio ProfessorSignal transduction mechanisms in muscular dystrophy and ageing/cancer. feg5@pitt.edu 412-648-2047 Gelhaus, Stacy Research Associate Professor; Scientific Director, Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core gstacy@pitt.edu 412-648-1351 Gronenborn, Angela Rosalind Franklin Professor and Chair, Structural Biology.Biomolecular structure and its correlation to function in transcription factor complexes, HIV-2 proteins and signaling proteins. amg100@pitt.edu 412-648-9959 Jacob, Tija Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Graduate Education GABA A receptor neuropharmacology and synapses, inhibition, neurodevelopment, mental health disorders. tcj11@pitt.edu 412-648-8136 Jiang, Yu ProfessorSignaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases yuj5@pitt.edu 412-648-3390 Kagan, Valerian Professor and Vice Chair, Environmental and Occupational Health Nitric oxide interactions with cellular components, redox status during cellular injury and repair kagan@pitt.edu 412-624-9479 Kane, Lawrence Associate Professor, Immunology The role of the Akt kinase in T cell activation; Immunilogic function and signaling of TIM proteins lkane@pitt.edu 412-648-8947 Levitan, Edwin Professor & Vice Chair for Research OperationsNeurotransmission, channels and signaling. elevitan@pitt.edu 412-648-9486 Lotze, Michael Professor, Surgery and BioengineeringTumor immunology; dendritic cell biology; cytokine biology; regulation of apoptosis in immune effectors; role of the nuclear protein HMGB 1 in promoting inflammation, mRNA role in regulating the translation of proteins in macrophages and other inflam... lotzemt@upmc.edu 412-623-5977 Neumann, Carola Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Precision and Translational Pharmacology can44@pitt.edu 412-641-7725 Pagano, Patrick Professor; Assistant Dean for Graduate StudiesDevelopment of peptic, viral and small molecular inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and reactive species to assess NOX involvement in cardiovascular disease as well as to devise new therapies pagano@pitt.edu 412-383-6505 Schopfer, Francisco Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development fjs2@pitt.edu 412-648-0193 Shiva, Sruti Professor & Vice Chair for Academics and Equity Associate Director, Vascular Medicine InstituteThe mechanisms by which reactive nitrogen species regulate mitochondrial function and signaling, particularly in conditions of hypoxia or ischemia. sss43@pitt.edu 412-383-5854 Smithgall, Thomas William S. McEllroy Professor of Biochemistry and Chair, Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsProtein-tyrosine kinase structure, function, and drug discovery in cancer and infectious diseases. tsmithga@pitt.edu 412-648-8106 Straub, Adam Professor & Vice Chair, Research; Assistant Dean of Basic Sciences Faculty AffairsRedox signaling mechanisms in the microcirculation. astraub@pitt.edu 412-648-2790 Trebak, Mohamed Professor trebakm@pitt.edu 412-648-1381 Vilardaga, Jean-Pierre ProfessorUnderstanding molecular mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and trafficking. jpv@pitt.edu 412-648-2055 Wang, Qiming Jane ProfessorTargeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer. qjw1@pitt.edu 412-383-7754 Wang, Zhou Professor and UPMC Chair in Urological ResearchMechanism of androgen receptor intracellular trafficking in prostate cancer cells. Roles of androgen-response genes in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. wangz2@upmc.edu 412-623-3903 Xie, Wen Professor and Joseph Koslow Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences Nuclear hormone receptor-mediated gene regulation in endrocrinology, gastroenterology, and cancer. Nuclear hormone receptors as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome. wex6@pitt.edu 412-648-9941 Zhang, Cheng Associate ProfessorStructural basis for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling; development of GPCR antibodies through protein engineering. chengzh@pitt.edu 412-383-8044