Thomas Martin
Credentials: Biochemistry Department
Position title: Mechanisms of hormone action; regulation of hormone/neurotransmitter secretion
Email: tfmartin@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2427
Address:
241b Biochemistry
433 Babcock Dr
Madison, WI 53706
LAB WEBSITE:
FOCUS GROUPS:
Membrane Biology & Protein Trafficking; Cellular & Molecular Metabolism; Cancer Biology
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
The overall goal of research in the Martin lab is to obtain a molecular description of regulated vesicle exocytosis in neuroendocrine and mast cells. The multi-step process of vesicle exocytosis is regulated by a large number of proteins that are either intrinsic or peripheral membrane proteins. Our early discoveries identified soluble proteins essential for exocytosis that are lipid-dependent for function. Current studies focus on the mechanism of action of members of the CAPS/Munc13 protein family, and the role of the lipids (PIP2 & DAG) with which they interact using a constellation of biochemical and cell biological approaches. Each distinct family member is multidomain and functions via simultaneous interactions with membrane lipids and with the core SNARE protein machinery for membrane fusion. Recent high throughput siRNA screening has confirmed the importance of the CAPS/Munc13 proteins as well as identified many novel protein constituents that represent a focus for future studies.
ALSO A TRAINER IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: Biochemistry (IPiB), Neuroscience (NTP), Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP)