Welcome to the Gorfe Research Group
Aimed at developing new treatment modalities for unsolved health challenges, our laboratory combines computer simulations with cell biology and biophysical experiments to study the basic principles of bio-molecular function. These include such key cellular phenomena as the organization of cell signaling components, interfacial interactions, and allostery. Our studies encompass the atomic, molecular, and supra-molecular levels of detail, with our primary focus being the Ras family of lipid-modified enzymes that regulate a variety of cell signaling pathways. We work towards elucidating how dynamics and lateral distribution of Ras and related G-proteins at membrane surfaces regulate signaling events and leverage insights from our basic research to design novel anti-cancer drugs. Other interests of the group include membrane biophysics, transient signaling complexes, and partitioning of specific drugs into membranes.
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- RAS Nanoclustering: RAS Self-Assembly in Raft Membrane
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- Protein-Membrane Interactions: RAS Membrane Interaction
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- Drug Design: Allosteric Interaction of Potential K-RAS Inhibitors
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- Drug Discovery: Development of RAS Inhibitors
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- RAS Nanoclustering: Effects of RAS and Cholesterol Concentrations on Nanocluster Properties
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- Drug Discovery: pMD Membrane – A Method for Ligand Binding Site Identification
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- RAS Aggregation: Confocal Imaging and FCS Analysis of RAS in Cells
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- Methods Development: Determination of Ligand-Binding Preference to Allosteric Sites
