Athar H. Chishti, PhD

Professor of Pharmacology

Our studies address the assembly and regulation of the cytoskeleton. We use the erythrocyte plasma membrane as our model system with the goal to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of cytoskeletal regulation in more complex nucleated cells. Gene targeting in mice and state-of-the-art techniques of cell biology and biochemistry are employed to unveil the physiological functions of membrane proteins in erythroid and non-erythroid cells. Currently, we are investigating the role of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of cell polarity and motility with implications for the regulation of cell proliferation and metastasis pathways. Another specific area of interest is aimed at exploring the role of the cytoskeleton in the invasion and growth of the malaria parasite in red blood cells. One long term goal of all of these studies is to identify novel pharmacological targets that regulate normal and pathogenic cytoskeletal signaling in human health and disease.

5097 CoMRB
909 S. Wolcott Ave.
(312) 355-1293
chishti@uic.edu

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