Name: Michael Tsang

Position: Assistant Professor

Research Description:

Feedback Regulation of FGF Signaling:  Fibroblast growth factors represent a large family of secreted molecules that serve critical functions during embryogenesis. Aberrant FGF signaling has been frequently associated with the development of cancers and congenital skeletal defects. The lab is interested in how FGF signaling levels are controlled to ensure proper signaling levels are achieved during embryogenesis. We have previously identified several molecules that function within the FGF pathway and have shown that they play an important role in limiting FGF signaling. We are presently studying the mechanism of how the FGF inhibitors, Sef and Mkp3 function in attenuating FGF signaling using zebrafish as a vertebrate model for development. A second aim is to define the role of FGFs signaling during development. The FGF pathway is important to maintain dorsal polarity and that disruption of this pathway results in ventralized zebrafish embryos. Our goal is understand how FGF signaling in the embryo is relayed into cell fate decisions.

Lab Memberships

Tsang Lab (Principal Investigator/Director)

Contact Information

Address:
Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry
University of Pittsburgh
W1151 BSTWR
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15261, USA

Web Page: http://www.mgb.pitt.edu/personnel/view.asp?uid=tsang
Phone:  (412) 648-3248
General/Lab Fax:  (412) 624-1401