Derik Liu L&S Biological Sciences
Developing chemical tools to study the spatial control of PIP3
Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) is a messenger molecule at the heart of a complex cell signaling network that controls vital functions like cell growth, metabolism, and proliferation. Overactivation of these functions via dysregulation of PIP3 signaling is tied to the pathology of many cancers. The presence and activity of PIP3 within the cell are highly spatially dependent, and PIP3 has been detected to associate with specific cell structures and locations such as focal adhesions, the surfaces of organelle membranes, and within isolated pools in the nucleus. The mechanisms of this spatial organization and the different downstream consequences to signaling depending on where PIP3 is located are not well understood. Directly studying the function of PIP3 in isolated regions of the cell is difficult because existing methods of manipulating PIP3 act throughout the entire cell. This project aims to develop small-molecule chemical tools that can artificially produce PIP3 in selected areas of the cell. These tools will be applied to study the spatial control and organelle-dependence of PIP3 signaling.
Message To Sponsor
I can't begin to express the breadth of my gratitude for your support this summer in pursuit of independent research. Empowered by your generous sponsorship, the scientific freedom and independence to pose and answer questions of my own initiative has been incredibly enriching and eye-opening. I deeply enjoyed the process of considering results, refining research direction, and diving into new challenges, and the entire experience has affirmed my commitment to pursue a research-centric career. Again, thank you so much for making everything possible!