Our laboratory studies the biological function of the GFL family of neurotrophic factors (GDNF, neurturin, persephin and artemin) that constitute the ligands for the Ret tyrosine kinase receptor, which is mutated in multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes as well as thyroid cancers. We are characterizing mouse models lacking components of this ligand-receptor family, and we are investigating the downstream signaling events mediated by Ret activation. We are also studying the role of several genes, including Egr1, Nab2, a homeodomain protein Nkx3.1 and the tumor suppressor PTEN, in the development and progression of prostate cancer. We are characterizing mouse models of prostate cancer that we have developed and are using microarray screens and other functional genomics techniques to identify additional gene products that play a role in this disease.


Milbrandt lab researcher takes new position at Novartis

Bryan McGill, an Instructor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine and a member of the Milbrandt lab, has taken a new position at Novartis. “It was a really difficult decision to leave Washington University. The deciding factor for me was the opportunity to work full-time on clinical research full-time investigating treatments for pediatric […]

Milbrandt lab publishes paper on Schwann cell O-GlcNAcylation

The Milbrandt lab published a paper recently on Schwann cell O-GlcNAcylation. The paper, “Schwann cell O-GlcNAcylation promotes peripheral nerve remyelination via attenuation of the AP-1 transcription factor JUN,” appears in PNAS. Sungsu Kim, an instructor in the Department of Genetics and a member of the Milbrandt lab, is first author on the paper. Read the abstract […]

Milbrandt lab welcomes rotation student researching SARM1 activation

The Milbrandt lab recently welcomed Caitlin Dingwall for a rotation project.  Caitlin received a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology with Honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2015. For her Honors thesis, she worked in the lab of Dr. Phillip Newmark where she pursued dual projects investigating the role of matrix metalloproteinases […]

Milbrandt lab publishes paper on NAD+ metabolism and Schwann cell dedifferentiation

Yo Sasaki, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics and a member of Dr. Jeff Milbrandt’s lab, and Amber Hackett, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Milbrandt lab, recently published a paper. The paper, “Dysregulation of NAD+ metabolism induces a Schwann cell dedifferentiation program,” appears in the Journal of Neuroscience. Read more about […]