Zenta Walther MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pathology; Medical Director, YNHH Tumor Profiling Laboratory
Biographical Info
Dr. Walther is a physician-scientist with clinical expertise in gastrointestinal and liver pathology, the molecular diagnostics of surgical pathology specimens, and molecular oncology of solid tumors. Her research interests focus on epithelial cell biology, particularly the roles of membrane-associated scaffolding proteins in cell polarity and proliferation control. A new project in her lab involves characterizing the cellular functions of one such scaffolding protein, called Dlg5 (discs large 5) in the intestine. Allelic variation in the human Dlg5 gene has been linked to altered risk of Crohn's disease, a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Dlg5's involvement in Crohn's disease pathogenesis are unknown. The Walther lab is using tissue culture and transgenic mouse models to explore the roles of Dlg5 in enterocyte differentiation and function, maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier, and innate immune signalling in the intestinal mucosa.
Education & Training
- Ph.D.
- Rockefeller University (1994)
- M.D.
- Cornell University (1995)
- Resident
- Yale University School of Medicine, Anatomic Pathology (1995 - 1997)
- Fellow
- Yale University School of Medicine, Gastrointestinal & Liver Pathology (2000 - 2001)
- Fellow
- Yale University School of Medicine, Molecular Genetic Pathology (2010 - 2011)
- Board Certification
- Anatomic Pathology, Board Certified (2001)
