MUNDEL LAB

WELCOME TO THE MUNDEL LAB

AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL AND HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

Our laboratory studies the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by signaling networks in health and disease, with an emphasis on the regulation of Rho GTPase signaling by the synaptopodin family of actin-associated proteins in neurons, kidney podocytes and cardiac myocytes. In addition we study the regulation of cell-cell and cell matrix adhesion by CD80/B7-1.

Ongoing projects in the following major research areas:

• Cell and molecular biological analysis of synaptopodin

       This project includes the analysis of the phenotype of synpo-/-, the functional   

       characterization of synpo-/- neurons and podocytes and the molecular biological

       characterization of synaptopodin as regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in highly

       motile cell compartments such as podocyte foot processes and dendritic spines.

• Functional characterization of myopodin

        This project includes the functional characterization of myopodin-deficient

        mice and the mechanistic analysis of myopodin as a tumor suppressor in

        bladder cancer. The role of myopodin in myocyte differentiation and

        intracellular signaling between the sarcomeric Z-disc and the nucleus.

        Identification and functional characterization of myopodin interacting proteins.

• The role of B7-1 in podocytes

        This project includes the functional analysis of B7-1 as an inducible modifier of

        the glomerular filter and the role of podocytes as a novel component of the

        innate immune system.

        The role of B7-1 as inducible regulator of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.