Hanson Research Lab
Decoding the principles of cellular signaling networks
Our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which cells integrate information from intracellular and extracellular signals and process this information to enact specific cellular programs, for example cell survival or cell death. To explore these questions, we make use of fluorescent biosensors, time-lapse imaging, cellular biology and basic modeling to interrogate how the architecture of these signaling networks encode and decode information through spatiotemporal patterns to regulate cell function. Importantly, we aim to understand how dysfunction of these networks contributes to human malignancy in the case of cancer.
In order to respond to changes in the surrounding environment cells must respond dynamically to changing conditions. We use fluorescently-tagged proteins and biosensors to study how signaling networks respond over time in response to cellular stress.
To effectively interrogate how signaling networks function within individual cells we need methods to effectively track and manipulate activation of specific pathways. We use molecular biology, CRISPR and optogenetic approaches to develop biosensors and fluorescently-tagged proteins to provide quantitative readouts of biological networks.
Dysfunction within cellular signaling pathways is a major driver of cancer development. We focus on the role of dysfunctional stress-response signaling during development of pancreatic cancer in response to key driver mutations.
Exposure to various agrochemicals represents a major occupational hazard and can have significant impacts on human health. We study how cells respond dynamically during acute and chronic exposures, the mechanisms regulating these responses and what impacts this may have on cellular health.
