Introduction
The laboratory studies the structural biology of neurotrophic factor signalling from cell surface receptors to membrane-associated effector kinases. Neurotrophic receptors are trafficked to synapses where ligand engagement stimulates trophic support and in some contexts trigger synaptic maturation. Neurotrophic factor receptors are frequently targeted for oncogenic mutation and oncogenic fusion in both endocrine and lung cancers. Our current interests are focused on how both mutations and fusions deregulate these receptors as well as defining their physiological activation mechanisms. The project would continue an ongoing activity to design potent and selective biologicals against these receptors and use them in both cell-based assays and in patient samples.
