Marek Michalak
Distinguished University Professor
Biochemistry
University of Alberta
Canada
Biography
Our lab studies the structure and function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and the role of this membrane system in the control of intracellular signalling, communication with other intracellular organelles, regulation. Our lab studies the structure and function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and the role of this membrane system in the control of intracellular signalling, communication with other intracellular organelles, regulation of protein synthesis and folding, modulation of gene expression and calcium homeostasis. We discovered that ER resident chaperones play critical roles in cardiac development and pathophysiology of the mature heart. The proteins are also key in specific neuropathies. Our long-term goal is to understand ER stress and ER signaling events responsible for the activation and maintenance of intracellular pathways affecting cardiac or neuronal physiology and pathology, and to use this information to devise pharmacological and genetic therapies for the treatment of human disease.
Research Interest
Biochemistry
