Grant: Operating Grant

Blood cells are made in the bone marrow and originate from stem cells. Bone marrow stem cells are present in very low numbers, but yet, are responsible for the generation of all types of blood cells. These cells are normally inactive but will proliferate in response to stress, growth factors or after transplantation. However, how this is regulated is poorly understood. Our lab studies a protein called Gab2, which is essential for stem cell growth. We identified new means by which Gab2 is regulated by growth factors, and the goal of this proposal is to study these mechanisms in detail. Our results will help characterize Gab2 function and the molecular mechanisms that control stem cell proliferation.