Fingar Lab

Research in the Fingar lab focuses on a complex cellular signaling network centered on the evolutionarily conserved protein kinase mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin). mTOR functions as a nutrient sensor that acquired the ability during metazoan evolution to respond to additional diverse systemic cues such as hormones and growth factors. Despite the clear physiologic and therapeutic importance of mTOR, fundamental gaps in knowledge exist in our understanding of mTORC regulation and function, especially about how mTORC networks communicate with other important signaling systems in cells and in vivo.