Who we are
The Penuela Lab focuses on a family of the channel proteins called Pannexins (consisting of the triad; Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3). We study the role of these proteins in a variety of pathological disorders ranging from cancer to osteoarthritis. We also aim to uncover several biochemical and biological aspects of Pannexins.
The main areas of research in our lab are:
- Biochemistry and cell biology of pannexins 1, 2, and 3
- Pannexin 1 channels as novel regulators of melanoma and other cancers
- Pannexin 1 in mammalian skin development, aging and wound healing
- Pannexin 1 & 3 regulation of adipose stem-cell differentiation, fat accumulation and obesity
- Pannexin 3 in musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis
