Department of Biological Sciences

Publications

Research Interests:

My research interests are focus on the remodeling of the cytoskeleton during the process of cell migration. Aberrant regulation of cell migration drives progression of many diseases, including cancer invasion and metastasis. In particular, my research is focus on the remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) that allows cancer cells to alter their microenvironment to clear space and create tracks along which cells can migrate more efficiently. To do that cells form actin-based subcellular structures termed invadopodiaor podosomes that are well-characterized as a specialized machinery for ECM degradation. Therefore, the fundamental mechanisms of cell migration and invasion are critical for our understanding of both basic biology and the pathology of disease.