GPI anchored cell surface proteins are important signal transducing proteins. The laboratory is currently characterizing the cell surface expression and function of several of the Toll like receptor proteins. Their signal transduction pathways as well as their interactions with infectious organisms are a major area of investigation.
Adenoviruses are a major vector used for gene therapy.
Because of their well defined genetics and spacious capsid, these viruses can be used to inject new genetic material into stem cells or, potentially, into tumor cells. The CAR protein has now been sequenced and expressed in Dr. Finberg's laboratory, but it is a gene without a known function. Experiments by Dr. Finberg and colleagues have led to the discovery that many tumor cells express this protein. Any tumor cell expressing this protein on the surface can be targeted for death or introduction of genetic information with a virus, which will only target the CAR expressing cells. Using transgenic and knockout mice, the laboratory is working on defining the function of CAR in the host.