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Deborah  A.  Lannigan
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor of Microbiology
Research Interests:
Kinases, Drugs and Breast Cancer

Email Address: dal5f@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
    • Research Description

    The laboratory focuses on signaling pathways that are involved in mammary gland development, homeostasis, and breast cancer. By studying normal organogenesis and homeostasis it is possible to identify novel therapeutic opportunities as cancer cells frequently hijack the signaling pathways that regulate these processes. To facilitate our studies we are currently developing a novel model system for the study of human mammary development and breast cancer. Our overarching goal is to discover novel therapeutic targets and small molecule inhibitors that will impact the treatment of breast cancer.

    We use a variety of techniques to address our biological questions, including high throughput screening for small molecule inhibitors, medicinal chemistry, proteomics, biochemistry, molecular biology, human tissue analysis, immunofluorescence and live-6D imaging.

    Selected Publications
  • Eisinger-Mathason, T.S., Andrade, J., Groehler, A.L., Clark, D.E., Muratore-Schroeder, T.L., Pasic, L., Smith, J.A., Shabanowitz, J., Hunt, D.F., Macara, I.G. and Lannigan, D.A. (2008) Codependent functions of RSK2 and the apoptosis-promoting factor TIA-1 in stress granule assembly and cell survival. Mol. Cell. 31:722-736
  • Smith, J.A,, Maloney, D.J., Hecht, S.M. and Lannigan, D.A. (2007) Structural basis for the activity of the RSK-specific inhibitor, SL0101. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 15:5018-5034
  • Clark, D.E., Errington, T.M., Smith, J.A., Frierson, H.F. Jr, Weber, M.J. and Lannigan, D.A. (2005) The serine/threonine protein kinase, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase, is an important regulator of prostate cancer cell proliferation. Cancer Res. 65:3108-3116
  • Smith, J.A., Poteet-Smith, C.E., Xu, Y., Errington, T.M., Hecht, S.M. and Lannigan, D.A. (2005) Identification of the first specific inhibitor of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) reveals an unexpected role for RSK in cancer cell proliferation. Cancer Res. 65:1027-1034
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800577, 7041, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-1144, +1 434-924-1152
      Fax Phone: +1 434-924-1236
      Home Phone: +1 434-971-5966

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/cellsignaling/dlannigan.cfm

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