| National Cancer Institute | Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression | National Institutes of Health |
The research program in the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression concerns the elucidation of mechanisms involved in the regulation of genetic expression in eucaryotic cells, and the identification of genes and regulatory processes involved in modulated states of expression during oncogenesis. Particular consideration is given to the study of the steroid/thyroid/RAR superfamily of nuclear receptors (Gordon Hager, Hormone Action and Oncogenesis Section, Catharine Smith, Signal Transduction Group.) A special emphasis is placed on the function of these hormone-dependent regulators in the context of chromatin and higher-order nuclear structure. The laboratory has made major contributions to the general hypothesis that the modification of chromatin structure is an important component of gene regulation by steroid receptors and other transactivators.
The laboratory has expanded into the general area of nuclear structure and gene function. A major interest is the use of fluorescent chimeric receptor proteins to study nuclear receptor subcellular trafficking and gene targeting in living cells (HAO Section). A new high resolution imaging facility (James McNally, Fluorescence Imaging Facility) supports investigations into subcellular and intranuclear compartmentalization, particularly in living cells. State-of-the-art technologies, including confocal and digital imaging microscopy, are now available. Tom Misteli (Cell Biology of Gene Expression Group) studies gene expression in the context of nuclear architecture.
National Cancer Institute, Bldg.41, Room B602
41 Library Dr. MSC 5055
Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
Applications from minorities and women are encouraged.
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