Esther M. Verheyen

Professor
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
Science

Areas of interest

In the Verheyen lab we use molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches to understand organismal growth and patterning. Specifically, we are interested in how cells control their growth and how certain tissues regulate their pattern formation. To do this, we use Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, as a genetic model organism.

Our studies of Drosophila development allow us to ask questions about how cells respond to cues from neighboring cells. We have focused our efforts on two protein kinases that regulate cellular processes. These kinases, Nemo/Nlk and Hipk, both act during many stages of development and are essential for organismal survival. They exert their effect through regulation of key evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathways, including those implicated in causing cancer when improperly regulated. Our goal is to gain an understanding of the mechanisms used by cells to ensure properly regulated growth and tissue formation.

Education

  • B.A., Biology and Society, Cornell University 
  • Ph.D., Genetics, Yale University

Selected Publications

  • Wong, K.K-L.,Liu, T.-W., Parker, J., Sinclair, D.A., Chen, Y-Y., Khoo, K-H., Vocadlo, D.J. and E.M. Verheyen (2019) The nutrient sensor OGT regulates Hipk stability and tumorigenic-like activities in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1912894117
  • Tettweiler, G., Blaquiere, J.A., Wray, N.B. and E.M. Verheyen (2019) Hipk is required for JAK/STAT signal transduction during development and tumorigenesis. PLOS One 14(12): e0226856.
  • Wong, K.K-L., Liao, J.Z.and E.M. Verheyen (2019) A positive feedback loop between Myc and aerobic glycolysis sustains tumor growth in a Drosophila tumor model. eLife;8:e46315.
  • Hall, E.T., Hoesing, E., Sinkovics, E. and Verheyen, E.M. (2019) Actomyosin contractility modulates Wnt signaling through adherens junction stability. Posted first on bioRxiv, Published in Molecular Biology of the Cell, 30(3): 411-426. Chosen as 'MBoC 2019 Paper of the Year'.
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