Welcome to our Cell Signalling Lab
Research in our laboratory is focused on defining eukaryotic signal transduction pathways, and investigating how mutations in components of these pathways can contribute to human diseases such as kidney disease and cancer. Our research team investigates questions related to these pathways using an interdisciplinary approach which includes modern mouse genetic tools, cell culture models, high-resolution microscopy, large-scale profiling techniques and clinical specimens.
Signal transduction is a central process in multicellular organisms that allows for the exchange of informational cues between and within cells. These cues are interpreted by organized networks of protein interactions inside the cell which regulate complex biochemical events, ultimately converting them into biological responses such as growth, migration, differentiation and survival. Cells have evolved a tremendous ability to selectively activate specific downstream pathways through the formation of distinct protein complexes. Understanding the molecular basis of these interactions is a significant challenge in biology, and it is of key importance in defining how specific mutations can lead to pathological conditions such as kidney disease and cancer.
Latest Lab News
- June 20, 2025 — Lab Research Published in iScience
Reduced nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation impairs podocyte force transmission and accelerates detachment in disease. iScience. 2025 June doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112673.
- June 16, 2025 — Congratulations Casey
Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Casey Williamson is this year’s recipient of the College of Biological Science (CBS) Mentorship Award for Post-Doctoral…
- June 13, 2025 — Lab Research Presented at 15th International Podocyte Conference
Post Doc Dr. Casey Williamson presented a poster on “Reduced nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation impairs podocyte force transmission and accelerates detachment in disease”, and PhD Student Alice Wang presented a talk in the Emerging Career Highlights session at this year’s International Podocyte Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
- June 5, 2025 — Jones Lab at ICCI Symposium
Jones Lab members Hayley Smith and Erka Shata presented posters at this year’s University of Guelph Institute for Comparative…
- June 2, 2025 — Lab Review Published in Biochemical Journal
Revisiting nephrin signaling and its specialized effects on the uniquely adaptable podocyte. Biochemical Journal. 2025 June doi: 10.1042/BCJ20230234.