Research in our laboratory aims to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying cell-to-cell interactions and signal transduction across the cell membrane. We are particularly interested in understanding how receptors located on the surface of developing axons and neurons interact with extracellular ligands to guide the development of the nervous system and the wiring of the brain.
In our investigations, we use X-ray crystallography combined with other biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological approaches. Some of the ligand/receptor signaling systems that we currently study include ephrins/Eph receptors, netrins/DCC/Unc5, NogoR/Nogo and angiopoietins/Ties. Recently we also became interested in how henipaviruses interact and fuse with target cells