Because of the powerful experimental techniques available in Drosophila and C. elegans, we are using them as model systems to dissect this signal transduction pathway. In order to study this pathway, we are using a molecular genetic approach and cell culture systems to find new components of this pathway and determine how they function. These efforts have led to the identification of new members of the Smad family from Drosophila. Smads are the primary signal transducer molecule in the TGFb pathway. Not surprisingly, homologs of the Smads have been shown to be tumor suppressor genes in different types of cancers.
Efforts are underway to understand how TGFb signaling alters cell fates.
In Drosophila and C. elegans, we are cloning genes from large genetic screens aimed at identifying new components of the TGFb pathway and examining their role in TGFb signaling. All rights reserved.