M. Isabel Dominguez, PhD
RESEARCH INTERESTS: Wnt signaling in development and cancer
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Our laboratory studies Wnt/β-catenin signaling, one of the signaling pathways that are required for the development of organs and tissues in the embryo and for the maintenance of tissues in the adult. Alterations of Wnt signaling are is linked to congenital defects, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease and neurological disorders.
Our research interests include the study of the cascade of intracellular events that leads to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, understand its role in cellular processes during the development of the embryo and, finally, determine the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during organ development and maintenance, such as heart formation.
For our studies, we utilize biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches. We conduct our experiments in different models including tissue culture cells and organisms such as the mouse and the frog Xenopus laevis.
Identifying key molecular steps in Wnt/β-catenin signaling will help develop novel or improved strategies for the treatment of diseases that involve Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Our research is or has been supported by grants from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Karin Grunebaum Cancer Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation.
LEF-eGFP reporter mouse. A faithful Wnt/β-catenin reporter that demonstrates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in embryos.
CONTACT INFORMATION
M. Isabel Dominguez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Hematology-Oncology Section
Department of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
650 Albany Street, 4th floor (X438)
Boston MA 02118
USA
e-mail: isdoming@bu.edu
Office (X438): +1- 617- 414 1829
Lab. (X430): +1- 617- 638 7560
FAX: +1- 617- 638 7530
