Faculty Research
Alphabetical · By research area

Research In the Lab

Cell surface receptors mediate the transfer of information between cells and their environment. As a result, receptors play vital roles in all aspects of cell biology including development, immune response, homeostasis, and pharmacology. Although many receptor systems have been intensely studied, fundamental questions about their molecular function remain unanswered. Research in our group applies chemical methodology to improve our mechanistic understanding of membrane biology. Specific areas of research include:

Fluorescence & Membrane Labeling

Chemists are uniquely qualified to develop new tools for understanding heretofore intractable biological systems. We are applying new chemical methods to label specific receptors in live cells. Labeling strategies we are currently developing involve targeting membrane lipids, receptor glycans, and enzymes found at the membrane.

Synthetic Lipid Probes

Membrane lipids are not only structural components of the bilayer, but also serve a role as signaling molecules. Using chemical synthesis, we are developing modified lipids which can be used to detect the location and chemical modification of lipids of interest. Ongoing work is aimed at using these tools to probe membranes of live cells using fluorescence microscopy.

The plasma membrane is a dynamic organelle, and as such a variety of enzymes modify structures found in the bilayer. Our group is interested in examining these enzymes and their substrates. As a class, these enzymes present unique challenges as their native substrates are embedded in the amphipathic lipid environment.

Additionally, with both enzyme and substrate confined to a two-dimensional environment, traditional solution-phase analysis may not be applicable. We are developing synthetic labels and inhibitors for enzymes of interest.

Receptor Glycobiology

The vast majority of cell surface receptors are glycosylated, and in many cases glycosylation is known to modify recognition or function. We are currently studying the role of receptor glycosylation in conformational changes that may be important for cellular adhesion.

Membrane Biophysics

Insighy into biophysical mechanisms requires quantitative methods for observing biomolecules. We use observations of receptor motion in the plasma membrane as a tool to visualize biochemical events. When appropriately labeled, the trajectories of single receptors can be observed and used to understand the types of interactions the receptor engages in. This methodology is highly dependent on effective labeling strategies.

Selected Publications

"T cell Adhesion Mechanisms Revealed by Receptor Lateral Mobility," C.W. Cairo and D.E. Golan, 2008, Biopolymers, 89, 409-419.

"Signaling by committee: Receptor clusters determine pathways of cellular activation," C.W. Cairo, 2007, ACS-Chemical Biology, 2, 652-655.

"Analysis of a Two-Dimensional Dissociation Constant for Laterally Mobile Cell-Cell Adhesion Molecules within a Contact Area," D.M. Zhu, M.L. Dustin, C.W. Cairo, D.E. Golan, 2007, Biophysical Journal, 92, 1022-1034.

"Mechanisms of Cellular Avidity Regulation in CD2-CD58-Mediated T Cell Adhesion", D.M. Zhu, M.L. Dustin, C.W. Cairo, H.S. Thatte, D.E. Golan, ACS-Chemical Biology, 2006, 1, 649-658.

"Cytoskeletal Regulation Couples LFA-1 Conformational Changes to Receptor Lateral Mobility and Clustering", C.W. Cairo, R. Mirchev, D.E. Golan, Immunity, 2006, 25, 297-308.

"Influencing Receptor-Ligand Binding Mechanisms with Multivalent Architecture", J.E. Gestwicki, C.W. Cairo, L.E. Strong, K.A. Oetjen, and L.L. Kiessling, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 14922.