Cellular biochemistry focuses on the signaling processes that permit the elaborate cell-cell communication required in a multicellular organism.  Five research groups are currently studying cellular biochemistry, focusing their research on the rapid changes in cytoskeletal proteins, protein kinases, membrane lipids, and small ions that accompany extracellular signals.  These groups utilize a broad array of biochemical techniques including fluorescence and electron microscopy, gene expression, and electrophysiology to characterize these fundamental biological processes.

Apoptosis/Immortalization
The Role of ADF in Neural Degeneration:  Dr. Bamburg
The HTLV-1 Tax Protein and T-Cell Immortalization:  Dr. Nyborg

Mitosis
Mechanisms of Mitotic Chromosome Segregation  Dr. DeLuca

Electrophysiology
Regulation of Muscle Excitability:  Dr. Tamkun

Nerve Development and Regeneration
Molecular Mechanisms of the Insulin-Like Growth Factors:  Dr.Ishii

Cytoskeleton
Dynamics of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton:  Dr. Bamburg

Retrovirus Assembly and Budding
Cellular Factors That Regulate the Gag-Actin Interactions for Gag Polyprotein Trafficking:  Dr. Chen
Viral Determinants for the Actin Cytoskeleton Association:   Dr. Chen

Signal Transduction
Regulation of ADF/Cofilin Proteins:  Dr. Bamburg