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Cardiovascular Biology Research Program

Laboratory of Membrane Structure & Function

William A. Rodgers, Ph.D. Assistant Member, Cardiovascular Biology Research Program Adjunct Assistant Professor, Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and   Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

The magician speaks the enchanted words, “Open Sesame!” and with the wave of a wand, a door opens.

Though it isn’t magic, cells are activated by signals that speak the “magic words,” activating pathways that lead to cell stimulation and growth. These signals communicate to cells through protein and lipid platforms that form in the membrane envelope of the cell.

In my lab, we study these membrane platforms in T cells, which are specialized cells that are important for the immune system. Our aim is to better understand the properties of the membrane platforms in order to affect immune responses. One area of interest is preventing atherosclerosis by altering the signals in the membrane platforms. Atherosclerosis begins as an inflammation in the wall of the artery that includes activated T cells. Learning how to inhibit the signals that activate T cells by altering the membrane platforms will be beneficial to preventing atherosclerosis and heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in the United States.

Since all cells are activated by signals in the membrane platforms, we collaborate with other scientists at OMRF to better understand diseases other than those caused by T cells. This includes Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. These collaborations in turn help us to better understand how the membrane platforms function in T cells.