Mentor Areas
The Beers lab is dedicated to the characterization of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying surfactant biology and to an improved understanding of the role of the distal lung epithelium in the pathogenesis of lung disease including pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury, Asthma and COPD. The pulmonary epithelium synthesizes and secretes a surface-active film of biochemically heterogeneous lipoprotein mixture (lung surfactant) that reduces surface tension at air-liquid interfaces and allows for maintenance of alveolar stability at low lung volumes. In addition, two collagen-like lectin (“collectin”) protein components in surfactant are recognized for their importance in innate lung host defense and modulation of inflammation. Congenital and acquired abnormalities in surfactant component expression, in surfactant biophysics, and in the alveolar epithelial cells that produce it play an important role in the pathogenesis of adult and pediatric lung disease. We use novel animal (mouse) models, cultured cells, and human samples to tease out pathways and mediators of epithelial cell function in health and their perturbations in disease.
Description:
Our group, made up of undergraduate students, post- doctoral research fellows, PhD faculty, and a Physician-Scientist, is dedicated to understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the critical role played by the distal lung epithelium in health and in driving the pathogenesis of lung diseases including pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema/COPD, and asthma. We use novel animal (mouse) models, cultured cells, and human samples to tease out pathways and mediators involved in these processes. There are a number of interrelated projects that (depending on interest) afford undergraduate participation including:
1) Novel Models and Mechanisms of Lung Fibrosis- Mutations in some genes of the surfactant system have been associated with inherited forms of pulmonary fibrosis. We are using these ""rare"" genetic variants to understand the broader question of how lung fibrosis develops and progresses in sporadic (non-inherited) forms of the disease. Using Surfactant Prtoein C (SP-C) as a model substrate, we are characterizing the mechanisms underlying the development of epithelial cellular dysfunction and relating these back to the development of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo using primary human cells and mice expressing disease causing SP-C mutations.
2) The Role of the Inflammatory Effector Cells in Lung Injury/Repair - The phenotype of the mutant SFTPC mouse models includes an early inflammatory phase. Using high resolution techniques (FACS, RNAseq, etc) we are characterizing the role of the these effector cells and the signaling pathways that drive their recruitment to understand the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
3) Alveolar Type 2 Cell Quality Control in Health and Disease- Cells utilize a variety of mechanisms and organelles to assure proper synthesis of correctly folded proteins. We are characterizing these ""quality control "" mechanisms in alveolar type 2 cells.
4) Biosynthetic Pathways for Surfactant : In a project spanning 25 years, we have been defining the cellular metabolism of pulmonary surfactant components, including all 4 surfactant proteins with and emphasis on Surfactant Protein C , its intracellular trafficking, and the role of Nedd4-2 Ubiquitin Ligase in mediating these events.
Preferred Qualifications
Students should have taken Intro Biology or equivalent and Intro Chemistry and Lab or equivalent. They should have knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop. Prior experience with protein chemistry, biochemical techniques, or cell culture is helpful. Student will assist a Post-Doctoral fellow in execution of cell based experiments using biochemical/molecular biology/immunological techniques. Student will also perform routine preparation of reagents, samples, and cell culture. Position assumes graded responsibility toward independence based on performance and interest.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Beers Lab
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.