Welcome to the Smrcka Lab
Our laboratory studies mechanisms for cellular communication via G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The GPCR superfamily includes receptors for adrenaline, serotonin, acetylcholine taste molecules, smell, and even light! They are the largest family of cell surface receptors and 30-40% of marketed drugs target GPCRs. Our laboratory uses a wide variety of methods to study the involvement of these receptors in physiology and disease. We provide a dynamic environment where trainees can gain experience in a wide repertoire of methods applied to important biological problems. Learn more »
THE LATEST:
April 2: Jerry Madukwe successfully defended his Ph.D. Thesis “Insights in to G Protein βγ Regulation of Phospholipase Cε”
March 29: Isaac Fisher’s poster “HDX-MS Reveals Distinct Activation States of PLCβ by G proteins” won 2nd place at the 38th Annual Pharmacological Sciences and Bio-Related Chemistry Symposium at the University of Michigan.
March 26: Jerry Madukwe’s paper “G protein βγ subunits directly interact with and activate phospholipase Cε” is in press at JBC.
March 22: Jesi To successfully defended her Ph.D. Thesis “The Importance of G Protein Signaling in Immune Cell Function”
March 5: Rafael Gil De Rubio successfully defended his Ph.D. Thesis “The Role of PLC-Dependent Hydrolysis of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate in Signaling and Disease”
February 2: Jesi To’s paper was published in JBC: “Activated heterotrimeric G protein αi subunits inhibit Rap-dependent cell adhesion and promote cell migration” J. Biol. Chem. 2018 293: 1570
Led by Dr. Adrian Campbell the Smrcka Laboratory has recently received a grant from the UM Center for Discovery of New Medicines to develop G protein inhibitors as novel treatments for pain.
