Mechanistic Cellular Biology Research
Summer 2025
Our Research Focus
(Kishore et al. 2024, Frontiers in Immunology)
Pancreatic Cancer
Our research into regulation of mitosis stimulated another larger project in which we collaborate to identify novel combinatorial drug treatments for cancer. One exciting new drug combination kills tumor cells through a novel mechanism that has not been pursued previously. We are testing this drug combination in animal models of pancreatic and breast cancer.
(D'Arcangelo et al. 2021, Int. Journal of Molecular Sciences)
Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
As part of Notre Dame’s efforts to cure Niemann Pick Type C (NPC) disease, the Vaughan laboratory has discovered a new mechanism of cholesterol transport and determined that mutations in NPC disease perturb this process. We are investigating other components of this new pathway that have the potential to correct the NPC defects and improve the outcomes for NPC patients.
