We study the structure and function of proteins, and protein-protein interactions, that play important roles in mammalian biology, human health, and disease. We primarily explore molecular and mechanistic questions pertaining to cell surface receptor recognition and signaling in the Immune and Nervous systems. We seek to understand how these molecular events coordinate with the higher order physiology of the cell.

Structural and mechanistic diversity of cell surface receptor recognition and activation in systems relevant to human health and disease. Cell surface receptors represent the gateway through which the cell senses and responds to its environment. Most physiologically important processes are initiated by the interaction of cell-surface receptors with extracellular mediators. This recognition event is communicated across the membrane, resulting in activation of intracellular signal transduction cascades. Molecular insight into recognition and activation of receptors implicated in human disease could reveal new strategies, or better inform current strategies, for therapeutic intervention.

Thematically, we are interested in shared receptors that appear to differentially respond to multiple ligands, and protein-protein interaction systems that play central roles in Immunology and Neurobiology, as well as well as receptors and proteins involved in host-pathogen interactions, cellular development and differentiation.

We approach our studies using a range of methodologies including protein biochemistry, protein engineering, X-ray crystallography, cell biology, NMR and electron microscopy. We study both soluble proteins and integral membrane proteins.