Meredith A Skiba, PhD

My laboratory investigates the molecular-level strategies cells use to sense their chemical environments, a process that controls nearly all aspects of physiology. We primarily focus on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), the largest family of cell surface receptors, which regulate immune responses, metabolism, embryonic development, neuromodulation, and much more. As molecular gateways controlling diverse biology, these receptors serve as the targets of about 1/3 of all FDA-approved drugs, including β-blockers, GLP-1 agonists, antihistamines, and antipsychotics.

GPCRs recognize thousands of different chemical ligands, but they all share a conserved seven transmembrane structure. Therefore, an area of emerging interest is in understanding how the molecular logic of receptor biochemistry, like ligand recognition and receptor conformation, connects to downstream cellular responses with themes in signaling pathways and cell biology. My research group combines structural biology, cellular biochemistry, receptor pharmacology, and protein engineering to link these two areas of receptor research, with a focus on receptors that regulate reproductive biology. We are particularly interested in how cell signaling defects contribute to pregnancy-associated disease and infertility, with the ultimate goal of identifying new strategies to address therapeutic gaps in maternal and fetal health. We additionally specialize in antibody-based engineering, which enables us to develop precise pharmacological tools to probe receptor signaling that could one day be adapted into drugs.