Research at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science encompasses a wide range of areas from the level of the atom to the level of the human brain. Research strengths at RFUMS include:
To complement these areas, the University has a number of core research facilities to support our research programs. These support facilities include the Rosalind Franklin Structural Biology Laboratories, a confocal center, a live cell imaging center, and other facilities to support research with model systems. In the area of Structural Biology/Biochemistry, specific areas of research include various membrane protein systems, such as receptor and transporter complexes. For example, the work of Dr. Kenneth Neet focuses on the structure and function of nerve growth factor receptor. This receptor system modulates cellular signals controlling differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The studies of Dr. Ronald Kaplan center on the structure, function, and regulation of the citrate transport protein associated with the mitochondrial membrane. Finally, Dr. David Mueller’s research involves structural and functional studies related to ATP synthase, an enzyme critical for cellular oxidative phosphorylation. These studies have been expanded with the addition of EPR technology to Structural Biology with the research of Dr. Kyoung Joon Oh. In the field of Neurosciences, there is a strong focus on cellular mechanisms underlying drug addiction and neuro-degenerative diseases. For example, Dr. Marina Wolf’s studies on the role of neuronal plasticity in addiction have provided new insight into how addictive drugs produce long-lasting changes in behavior. Other laboratories, including those of Dr. Gloria Meredith study cellular mechanisms underlying such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies on the neuronal circuits important for neurological and psychiatric disorders are conducted in the laboratories of Dr. Anthony West and Dr. Heinz Steiner. Another important focus concerns the mechanisms involved in neuronal atrophy, death and repair. Exciting work is underway in Dr. Daniel Peterson’s laboratory on the role of stem cells in the repair of injured brain centers. These laboratories are complemented by studies in the Department of Psychology that perform translational research on human patients with various neuronal diseases or syndromes. Finally, various laboratories work at the gene level to understand how cells become committed to specific differentiation pathways and how these processes go awry in cancer. In the areas of Cancer / Cell / Developmental Biology, we have a broad spectrum of research laboratories. Dr. Bala Chandran works in the field of molecular virology and focuses on the mechanism by which Herpes- 8 induces sarcomas. Dr. Joseph DiMario studies the underlying mechanisms that establish and maintain skeletal muscle cells during development. Dr. Barbara Vertel studies the cellular processing of the matrix protein, aggrecan, that is critical to cartilage formation and function. In addition, studies by Dr. Michelle Hastings and focus on the processing of mRNA as related to normal cell function and dysfunction during various disease states. Our research website on faculty research expands on these areas.
Specialized studies in cellular transport integrate areas such as Structural Biology and Cell Biology by focusing on the cell surface proteins that are central to such diseases as Cystic Fibrosis. Such research is headed by Dr. Robert Bridges, Neil Bradbury and others who are internationally know for their in their research on the underlying mechanisms of Cystic Fibrosis as well as other diseases.