Faculty

Connections between cancer, metabolism, and circadian rhythm

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms that Control Tissue Homeostasis and Somatic Stem Cells

The biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics of signal-transducing transcription factors and their role in development, aging and disease

Cellular Signaling in Neural Development and Disease

Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Signaling and Cancer Cell Metabolism

Deciphering the impact of nutritional, toxicological, viral, and genetic insults, singly and in combination, on mammalian brain development and disease later in life.

Understanding how nuclear proteins and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene transcription in pancreatic preneoplastic lesions, gaining knowledge of the process of cellular transformation and tumor initiation.

The genetics, genomics, and chromatin biochemistry of cell state transitions that occur during embryonic development and carcinogenesis.

Discovering new treatments for afflictions that lack satisfactory therapies, and to better understand the toxicity of currently used medicines; studies span normal and pathological cell function, with focus on stem and progenitor cells.

Analysis of Genes Involved in Salivary Gland Function

Neural circuit development and function; Genetic control of behavior; Sex differences in neurobiology

Defining roles of glial progenitor cells and astrocytes as critical modulators in responses to chemical exposure, injury, or stress; discovering how exogenous factors contribute to neurodegenerative diseases; and developing new approaches to treat traumatic injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

Understanding Aging at the Genetic, Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Level

Dr. Vertino's research interests are focused on the areas of cancer epigenetics and novel mechanisms of gene silencing in cancer.

Signal transduction and development of therapeutic agents in B-lymphomas; Cell cycle regulation

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Investigating cell division and adhesion in epithelial tissues, with a particular interest in how tissue integrity is established and maintained during development.

Molecular mechanisms that control the exchange of molecules and information between the nucleus and cytoplasm

The molecular biology and genetics of pancreatic and biliary tract cancers

Molecular development of the inner ear; regeneration; congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction

Neurobiology of glaucoma; specifically the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the retina.

Systems Biology of Lung Development and Disease

Developing methods to estimate gene regulatory networks from gene pertubation experiments

Pediatric Neurology, Human Genetics

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal and neurodegenerative diseases in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model systems