UIC Department of Pharmacology: Faculty Research

Primary Faculty

Jingsong Xu, PhD
Assistant Professor of Dermatology; Pharmacology
Cell migration is essential for such physiological and pathological processes as embryonic development, neurite guidance, host defense, and tumor invasion. Despite their diversity of morphology and function, different migratory cells share a conserved set of intracellular signals to guide cell migration. Our long-term goal is to understand how cell migration is regulated on the molecular level and to seek new therapeutic targets and strategies for treating diseases related to cell migration. In particular, we are analyzing signaling pathways that govern the cytoskeletal assemblies required for two key cellular responses during migration: polarization and directional sensing. By defining the upstream and downstream factors and the intracellular events that orchestrate cell migration, we hope to develop selective inhibitors that are of therapeutic value against disease processes including autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and tumor metastasis.
4099 CoMRB 909 S. Wolcott Ave. (312) 996-6919 jingsong@uic.edu Lab home page