Whitman Laboratory

What we do

• The Whitman Laboratory is interested in how cellular signals regulate tissue structure and remodeling in development and disease. 

Research Focus

• Our current work has two major foci:
  • The mechanism of action of halofuginone (HF), a small molecule derived from traditional Chinese medicine with therapeutic activity for chronic inflammatory and fibrotic disease. We have identified the molecular target of HF action and are currently studying the signaling pathways by which HF is therapeutic for diseases associated with pathological tissue remodeling, including lung fibrosis, arthritis, and scleroderma.
  • The role of extracellular phosphorylation in the regulation of tissue homeostasis, remodeling, and regeneration. We have recently discovered the first secreted tyrosine kinase, and shown that this kinase phosphorylates a broad range of extracellular substrates both in the secretory pathway and outside the cell. We are currently exploring how this novel class of regulatory modification controls extracellular matrix function during tissue healing and in disease.

On-going projects

• Regulation of inflammation by nutrient limitation
• Application of adhesive hydrogels for delivery of drugs to sites of inflammatory tissue damage and fibrosis
• Mechanism of signal activation at the ribosome