
Overview
Background
Our research focuses on understanding how cells work and what goes wrong in disease. We are studying the role of cellular organelles in defence against pathogens, the molecular changes underlying muscle disease, and optimising methods to deliver therapeutics to specific cell types in whole animals.
Professor Robert Parton is an ARC Laureate Fellow, a group leader in the IMB Centre for Cell Biology of Chronic Disease, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and an Associate Member of EMBO.
Availability
- Professor Robert Parton is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Edinburgh
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Leicester
Research interests
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Multiscale analysis of cellular membrane function
Each of the cells that make up the organs of our bodies is enclosed by a plasma membrane, a complex sheet made up of lipids (fats) and proteins. The plasma membrane plays a crucial role in detecting signals for growth or in taking nutrients up into the cell. At the same time the plasma membrane protects the cell against unwanted invaders and must remain intact in the face of considerable forces. The properties of the plasma membrane rely on the specialisation of the plasma membrane into regions of specific function. The Parton group are studying caveolae, a specialised domain of the cell surface with a distinct structure (see Figure). Caveolae have been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and in maintaining the balance of lipids in the cell. Defective caveolae in human patients are associated with cancer, lipodystrophies (lack of fat tissue), muscular dystrophy, and cardiac disease. We have shown that caveolae can respond to forces on the plasma membrane by flattening and releasing proteins into the cell. In addition, we have shown that caveolae can respond to other signals, such as oxidative stress. We are now studying how these functions of caveolae are disrupted in human disease conditions. A significant goal of the group is to move from cell culture systems to studying cell biology in the whole organism. For this we extensively use the zebrafish, Danio rerio, as a model system. We are interested in using these systems to dissect how nanoparticles can be targeted to specific cell types, such as cancer cells. Finally, we have a major interest in the way that cells defend against invading pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. We have shown that cellular organelles that store fat, called lipid droplets, can kill invading bacteria. With our international collaborators, we are now unravelling the mechanisms and molecules involved in this novel defence pathway.
Works
Search Professor Robert Parton’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Endocytosis Inhibition in Humans to Improve Responses to ADCC-Mediating Antibodies
Chew, Hui Yi, De Lima, Priscila O., Gonzalez Cruz, Jazmina L., Banushi, Blerida, Echejoh, Godwins, Hu, Lingbo, Joseph, Shannon R., Lum, Benedict, Rae, James, O'Donnell, Jake S., Merida de Long, Lilia, Okano, Satomi, King, Brigid, Barry, Rachael, Moi, Davide, Mazzieri, Roberta, Thomas, Ranjeny, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando, Foote, Matthew, McCluskey, Adam, Robinson, Phillip J., Frazer, Ian H., Saunders, Nicholas A., Parton, Robert G., Dolcetti, Riccardo, Cuff, Katharine, Martin, Jennifer H., Panizza, Benedict, Walpole, Euan ... Simpson, Fiona (2020). Endocytosis Inhibition in Humans to Improve Responses to ADCC-Mediating Antibodies. Cell, 180 (5), 895-914.e27. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.02.019
2020
Journal Article
Caveolae and lipid sorting: shaping the cellular response to stress
Parton, Robert G., Kozlov, Michael M. and Ariotti, Nicholas (2020). Caveolae and lipid sorting: shaping the cellular response to stress. Journal of Cell Biology, 219 (4) e201905071. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201905071
2020
Journal Article
Mapping interactions among cell-free expressed Zirka virus proteins
Varasteh Moradi, Shayli, Gagoski, Dejan, Mureev, Sergey, Walden, Patricia, McMahon, Kerrie-Ann, Parton, Robert G., Johnston, Wayne A. and Alexandrov, Kirill (2020). Mapping interactions among cell-free expressed Zirka virus proteins. Journal of Proteome Research, 19 (4) acs.jproteome.9b00771, 1522-1532. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00771
2020
Journal Article
A role for caveola‐forming proteins caveolin‐1 and CAVIN1 in the pro‐invasive response of glioblastoma to osmotic and hydrostatic pressure
Pu, Wenjun, Qiu, Jiawen, Nassar, Zeyad D., Shaw, Paul N., McMahon, Kerrie‐Ann, Ferguson, Charles, Parton, Robert G., Riggins, Gregory J., Harris, Jonathan M. and Parat, Marie‐Odile (2020). A role for caveola‐forming proteins caveolin‐1 and CAVIN1 in the pro‐invasive response of glioblastoma to osmotic and hydrostatic pressure. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 24 (6) jcmm.15076, 3724-3738. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.15076
2020
Journal Article
The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development
Shohayeb, Belal, Ho, Uda, Yeap, Yvonne Y., Parton, Robert G., Millard, Sean S., Xu, Zhiheng, Piper, Michael and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2020). The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development. Human Molecular Genetics, 29 (2), 248-263. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddz281
2020
Conference Publication
Reactivation of Myc transcription in the heart unlocks its proliferative capacity
Bywater, M. J., Burkhart, D. L., Sabo, A., Straube, J., Pendino, V., Hudson, J. E., Quaife-Ryan, G. A., Porrello, E. R., Rae, J., Parton, R. G., Kress, T. R., Amati, B., Littlewood, T. D., Evan, G. I. and Wilson, C. H. (2020). Reactivation of Myc transcription in the heart unlocks its proliferative capacity. BSCR Autumn meeting, New York, NY, United States: Springer.
2020
Book Chapter
Live confocal imaging of zebrafish notochord cells under mechanical stress in vivo
Lim, Ye-Wheen, Lo, Harriet P., Hall, Thomas E. and Parton, Robert G. (2020). Live confocal imaging of zebrafish notochord cells under mechanical stress in vivo. Caveolae: methods and protocols. (pp. 175-187) edited by Cedric M. Blouin. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0732-9_16
2020
Journal Article
Lipid droplets, bioenergetic fluxes, and metabolic flexibility
Bosch, Marta, Parton, Robert G. and Pol, Albert (2020). Lipid droplets, bioenergetic fluxes, and metabolic flexibility. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 108, 33-46. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.02.010
2020
Journal Article
Ascidian caveolin induces membrane curvature and protects tissue integrity and morphology during embryogenesis
Bhattachan, Punit, Rae, James, Yu, Haiyan, Jung, WooRam, Wei, Jiankai, Parton, Robert G. and Dong, Bo (2020). Ascidian caveolin induces membrane curvature and protects tissue integrity and morphology during embryogenesis. The FASEB Journal, 34 (1), 1345-1361. doi: 10.1096/fj.201901281R
2020
Journal Article
Twenty years of Traffic
Marks, Michael S., Tooze, Sharon A., Brodsky, Frances M., Marsh, Mark, Parton, Robert G. and Schroer, Trina A. (2020). Twenty years of Traffic. Traffic, 21 (1), 4-5. doi: 10.1111/tra.12688
2020
Journal Article
ORP5 localizes to ER–lipid droplet contacts and regulates the level of PI(4)P on lipid droplets
Du, Ximing, Zhou, Linkang, Aw, Yvette Celine, Mak, Hoi Yin, Xu, Yanqing, Rae, James, Wang, Wenmin, Zadoorian, Armella, Hancock, Sarah E., Osborne, Brenna, Chen, Xiang, Wu, Jia-Wei, Turner, Nigel, Parton, Robert G., Li, Peng and Yang, Hongyuan (2020). ORP5 localizes to ER–lipid droplet contacts and regulates the level of PI(4)P on lipid droplets. The Journal of Cell Biology, 219 (1) jcb.201905162. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201905162
2020
Journal Article
Caveolae control contractile tension for epithelia to eliminate tumor cells
Teo, Jessica L., Gomez, Guillermo A., Weeratunga, Saroja, Davies, Elizabeth M., Noordstra, Ivar, Budnar, Srikanth, Katsuno-Kambe, Hiroko, McGrath, Meagan J., Verma, Suzie, Tomatis, Vanesa, Acharya, Bipul R., Balasubramaniam, Lakshmi, Templin, Rachel M., McMahon, Kerrie-Ann, Lee, Yoke Seng, Ju, Robert J., Stebhens, Samantha J., Ladoux, Benoit, Mitchell, Christina A., Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G. and Yap, Alpha S. (2020). Caveolae control contractile tension for epithelia to eliminate tumor cells. Developmental Cell, 54 (1), 75-91.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.05.002
2019
Journal Article
An Abl-FBP17 mechanosensing system couples local plasma membrane curvature and stress fiber remodeling during mechanoadaptation
Echarri, Asier, Pavón, Dácil M., Sánchez, Sara, García-García, María, Calvo, Enrique, Huerta-López, Carla, Velázquez-Carreras, Diana, Viaris de Lesegno, Christine, Ariotti, Nicholas, Lázaro-Carrillo, Ana, Strippoli, Raffaele, De Sancho, David, Alegre-Cebollada, Jorge, Lamaze, Christophe, Parton, Robert G. and Del Pozo, Miguel A. (2019). An Abl-FBP17 mechanosensing system couples local plasma membrane curvature and stress fiber remodeling during mechanoadaptation. Nature Communications, 10 (1) 5828, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13782-2
2019
Conference Publication
Nanoscapes: Authentic scales and densities in real-time 3D cinematic visualizations of cellular landscapes
Lilja, Andrew R., Kadir, Shereen R., Hughes, Rowan T., Gunn, Nicholas J., Strong, Campbell W., Bailey, Benjamin J., Parton, Robert G. and McGhee, John B. (2019). Nanoscapes: Authentic scales and densities in real-time 3D cinematic visualizations of cellular landscapes. Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. doi: 10.1145/3355056.3364567
2019
Journal Article
Caveolae: the FAQs
Parton, Robert G., Pozo, Miguel A., Vassilopoulos, Stéphane, Nabi, Ivan R., Le Lay, Soazig, Lundmark, Richard, Kenworthy, Anne K., Camus, Anne, Blouin, Cedric M., Sessa, William C. and Lamaze, Christophe (2019). Caveolae: the FAQs. Traffic, 21 (1) tra.12689, 181-185. doi: 10.1111/tra.12689
2019
Journal Article
20 years of Traffic: a 2020 vision of cellular electron microscopy
Parton, Robert G (2019). 20 years of Traffic: a 2020 vision of cellular electron microscopy. Traffic, 21 (1) tra.12684, 156-161. doi: 10.1111/tra.12684
2019
Journal Article
Colocation of Tpm3.1 and myosin IIa heads defines a discrete subdomain in stress fibres
Meiring, Joyce C. M., Bryce, Nicole S., Cagigas, Maria Lastra, Benda, Aleš, Whan, Renee M., Ariotti, Nicholas, Parton, Robert G., Stear, Jeffrey H., Hardeman, Edna C. and Gunning, Peter W. (2019). Colocation of Tpm3.1 and myosin IIa heads defines a discrete subdomain in stress fibres. Journal of Cell Science, 132 (15) jcs228916, jcs.228916. doi: 10.1242/jcs.228916
2019
Journal Article
Identification of intracellular cavin target proteins reveals cavin-PP1alpha interactions regulate apoptosis
McMahon, Kerrie-Ann, Wu, Yeping, Gambin, Yann, Sierecki, Emma, Tillu, Vikas A., Hall, Thomas, Martel, Nick, Okano, Satomi, Moradi, Shayli Varasteh, Ruelcke, Jayde E., Ferguson, Charles, Yap, Alpha S., Alexandrov, Kirill, Hill, Michelle M. and Parton, Robert G. (2019). Identification of intracellular cavin target proteins reveals cavin-PP1alpha interactions regulate apoptosis. Nature Communications, 10 (1) 3279, 3279. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11111-1
2019
Journal Article
The membrane environment of cadherin adhesion receptors: a working hypothesis
Teo, Jessica L., Parton, Robert G. and Yap, Alpha S. (2019). The membrane environment of cadherin adhesion receptors: a working hypothesis. Biochemical Society Transactions, 47 (4), BST20180012-995. doi: 10.1042/bst20180012
2019
Journal Article
Drug‐induced increase in lysobisphosphatidic acid reduces the cholesterol overload in Niemann–Pick type C cells and mice
Moreau, Dimitri, Vacca, Fabrizio, Vossio, Stefania, Scott, Cameron, Colaco, Alexandria, Paz Montoya, Jonathan, Ferguson, Charles, Damme, Markus, Moniatte, Marc, Parton, Robert G, Platt, Frances M and Gruenberg, Jean (2019). Drug‐induced increase in lysobisphosphatidic acid reduces the cholesterol overload in Niemann–Pick type C cells and mice. EMBO Reports, 20 (7) e47055, e47055. doi: 10.15252/embr.201847055
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Robert Parton is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Zebrafish as a model to understand human muscle diseases
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
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Structure and function of a new family of caveolar coat proteins
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
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Novel pathways of endocytosis in cultured cells and in tissues
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
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Bioengineering of novel nanovesicles for drug delivery
Contact Prof. Parton for further details
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterisation of the Lipid Droplet as an Innate Immunity Hub
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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Doctor Philosophy
Functional Analysis of Caveolae
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti, Dr Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of The Role of Caveolar Coat Proteins in Breast Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Dr Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Tracking Nanoparticles in Cells and Tissues
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tom Hall
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Caveolar Proteins in Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Dr Harriet Lo
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Doctor Philosophy
Mechanical and biological determinants of epithelial homeostasis.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering why CCM vascular malformations are restricted to the brain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk
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Doctor Philosophy
A lipid sensing nexus between endocytosis and cardiovascular disease: characterising a new regulation pathway for eNOS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Cytoskeletal-Golgi cross talk in cellular pathfinding in crowded tissue environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mel White, Dr Samantha Stehbens
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Doctor Philosophy
Revealing the mechanobiology of neural tube formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL MODULAR ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tom Hall
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the cavin proteins role in the circadian rhythm
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Proteomic mapping of cavin-associated proteins in muscle: in vitro and in vivo proteomic approaches
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Functional characterisation of caveolae: in vivo investigations using the zebrafish
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harriet Lo, Dr Tom Hall
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the function of caveolar coat cavin proteins in cancer progression
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Cell-free caveola formation as a system for high throughput interaction analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional characterisation of the cavin membrane coat complex
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and Functional Characterization of a Clathrin-Independent Endocytic pathway, the CLIC/GEEC pathway
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Towards the development of a prokaryotic system for the in vitro study of caveola formation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The cavin proteins as regulators of caveolae formation and function
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Clathrin Independent Carriers: Molecular characterisation of a novel clathrin-independent endocytic pathway
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF CAVEOLIN IN ENDOCYTOSIS AND CAVEOLAE BIOGENESIS
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
EFFECTS OF CELLULAR INTERACTIONS ON MICROTUBULE - DEPENDENT EVENTS IN MYELINATION
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF CAVEOLIN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
PROTEIN-LIPID INTERACTIONS WITHIN THE CELL
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
ENTRY OF ONCOGENIC DNA VIRUSES INTO ANIMAL CELLS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae Respond to Acute Mechanical Stress by Activating a Novel Signalling Pathway for Reinforcement of Actomyosin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Caveolae/Caveolin-1: A regulator of monolayer tension and oncogenic cell extrusion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of caveolae in the uptake process of Streptococcus pyogenes into non-phagocytic host cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Walker
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterisation of the adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanics of Epithelial Interactions: From Multicellular Cohesion to Oncogenic Transformation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiscovery Search for Marine-Derived Inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 as a Means to Improve Cancer Chemotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Professor Rob Capon
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into the Regulation of Iosine- Monophophate Dehydogenase (IMPDH)
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Hypervariable regions of Ras isoforms dictate distinct functionality by targeting to specific protein complexes at microdomains
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The Functional Characterisation of Centrobin in Endocytic Trafficking and Microtubule Dynamics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kum Kum Khanna, Honorary Professor Nathan Subramaniam
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
A Proteomic Analysis of Ras-Containing Nanodomains & The Investigation of Endogenous Ras Signalling
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cadherin-Microtubule Cooperativity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
A STUDY OF THE MEMBRANE INTERACTIONS OF K-RAS
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN E-CADHERIN, PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL-3-KINASE, RAC AND THE WASP FAMILY PROTEIN, WAVE, IS NECESSARY FOR PRODUCTIVE CADHERIN-DEPENDENT CONTACT FORMATION.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alpha Yap
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
A NOVEL ROLE FOR THE NUCLEAR GROWTH HORMONE RECEPTOR IN CELLULAR PROLIFERATION
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Robert Parton directly for media enquiries about:
- Cancer development
- Caveolae
- Cell surface
- Cells
- Muscular dystrophy
- Plasma membrane
- Tumour formation
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