My laboratory studies regulation of cellular membrane transport critical in development and normal homeostasis. Our focus has been on understanding the role of membrane trafficking regulators in ciliogenesis and ciliary signaling, including the Hedgehog pathway. Specifically, we are investigating the role of the Rab small GTPase family and associated trafficking regulators in the transport of membranes and signaling cargo at the cilium.

Using cell and zebrafish models along with cellular imaging, biochemistry and proteomics, and genetics systems we have discovered mechanisms for how ciliogenesis is initiated, characterized new regulators of cilium assembly, identified novel ciliary trafficking pathways, and connected these processes to human disorders and cancer. Our findings also provide insight into the basic biological processes of membrane trafficking that are affected in a wide range of human disease states.

For our cellular imaging studies, we utilize cutting-edge approaches including; live-cell and super resolution microscopy (SIM, STED, STORM), transmission electron microscopy, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), and correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).

Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Membrane Trafficking and Signaling Section has an opening for an outstanding postdoctoral fellow and staff scientist to explore membrane trafficking function in organelle biogenesis and signaling using advanced cellular imaging approaches. Please send your C.V. and statement of interest to chris.westlake@nih.gov