Celine DerMardirossian, Ph.D.

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Research Focus

Céline DerMardirossian received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Paris Orsay XI, France and completed her post-doctoral studies in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology in Prof. Gary M. Bokoch at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA. As an Associate Professor at The Scripps Research Institute in the Molecular and Medicine Department, her work was focused on deciphering the molecular mechanisms that regulate the spatio-temporal activation of GTPases for efficient cell locomotion. This information is critical to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying normal physiological function and the consequences of dysregulation under pathological conditions as cancer. Recently, Dr. DerMardirossian joined SDBRI as a Professor, she is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Molecular and Medicine Department at The Scripps Research Institute. Ongoing projects in the lab are the analysis of the role of RhoGTPases, their regulators GEFs and GAPs, and their new binding partners identified in the lab in regulating cell migration and invasion to design new strategies to control the aberrant activation of RhoGTPases in cancer.

A major challenge in cancer is to identify ways to limit cancer invasion. One approach to prevent invasion is to find ways to prevent cancer cell spread in response to environmental signals. Cell leading edge protrusion, via structures such as lamellipodia and filopodia, is the decisive step in initiating and directing cell migration. Dr. DerMardirossian’s research program is to dissect the underlying biological factors and pathways that regulate lamellipodia and filopodia. This information is critical to our understanding in the mechanisms underlying normal physiological function and the consequences of dysregulation under pathological conditions as cancer. A critical key in dissemination process is the ability of cells to coordinate signaling pathways with cytoskeleton dynamics. As critical coordinators of the cytoskeleton machinery, RhoGTPases and their regulators GEFs and GAPs are key players for cell movement. Many tumors show increased expression and/or activation of RhoGTPases and their regulators. Ongoing projects in the lab are the analysis of the role of RhoGTPases, GEFs and GAPs, and their new binding partners identified in the lab in regulating lamellipodia and filopodia and subsequently, cell migration and invasion to design new strategies to control the aberrant activation of RhoGTPases in cancer.

Experimental approaches used in Dr. DerMardirossian’s lab includes techniques of biochemistry, state-of-the-art confocal microscopy, high throughput screening, computational methods to drug design, and mouse xenograft models.

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Education

Ph.D. in Biology/Biochemistry, University of Paris-Orsay XI, 1998
Master in Biochemistry and Enzymology, University of Paris-Orsay XI, 1993

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Professional Experience

2018 – Current Professor, San Diego BioMed
2007 – 2018 Assistant/Associate Professor, The Scripps Research Institute
2004 – 2007 Senior Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute
1998 – 2004 Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute

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Honors and Awards

Travel Award from The American Society for Cell Biology, Dijon 2007
Speaker Award from The American Society for Cell Biology, San Diego 2006
Society of Fellows, Best Posters Award, The Scripps Research Institute, 2003
Fellowship from American Heart Association, 1999-2002
Fellowship from Cancer Research Association, France 1998-1999
Fellowship from Arthritis Foundation, France 1994-1998

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Professional Activities

Member, American Society of Cell Biology, 2006