Paula Stern, PhD

Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry
Feinberg School of Medicine

Research Interests:
The research in Paula Stern’s laboratory is directed at determining the mechanisms by which bone formation and resorption are regulated. This involves determining the roles of local factors such as cytokines and growth factors and also in investigating the signaling pathways. One current project focuses on parathyroid hormone signaling in osteoblasts, and specifically on the role of the phospholipase D/protein kinase C signaling pathway. The most recent work has shown a role of small G proteins of the Rho family in these responses. Downstream responses that are affected by manipulation of the pathway are expression of interleukin-6 and the membrane-associated cytokine, RANKL, and bone resorption. Another project addresses the mechanisms of the bone anabolic effects of prostate cancer metastases. We have found that the MAP kinase pathway plays an regulatory role in determining whether the responses are proliferative or differentiative. A third area is the mechanism of the response to mechanical load, and the interaction of load and growth factors to promote bone formation.

Her lab’s application of genetic tools has involved the use of constitutively active and dominant negative mutants and the use of antisense oligonucleotides. In planned future experiments they will be examining the effects of k/o mutations in signaling pathways on the responses of bone, examining bone structure in vivo and responses of bone organ cultures from the animals in vitro.