Research summary
In complex multicellular organisms, cells communicate with one another by activating specific signal transduction pathways, or the chains of molecules that relay intracellular signals. Precise interactions between proteins within these pathways are critical for growth, movement and survival. Disruptions that occur in cell signalling can lead to myriad disorders and diseases. Defining the molecular and cellular bases of these interactions is key to our understanding of both development and disease in humans.
Dr. Nina Jones, Canada Research Chair in Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, seeks to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin this information exchange. In particular, she and her research team are focusing on intracellular adaptor proteins in kidney disease, cancers and neurological disorders. Ultimately, their goal is to characterize how perturbations in fundamental signal transduction events lead to disrupted cell function in order to design more effective therapies.