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Bennett Laboratory

The primary interests of this laboratory are in the area of cell signaling by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). It has been long appreciated that the actions of signaling pathways that are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the insulin receptor, play fundamental roles in cellular metabolism. However, the involvement of protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell metabolism has yet to be established fully. This laboratory is interested in exploring how PTPs are involved in the regulation of cell metabolism and subsequently, the involvement of these enzymes in metabolic disease.

We have been focusing on the role of the dual-specificity phosphatases in the regulation of cell signaling and metabolism in peripheral tissues. How these PTPs in peripheral tissues integrate with those in the brain is being investigated. The long-term goal of our studies will guide a better understanding of how these enzymes affect human health.