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Heidi Hamm, Ph.D.

Aileen M. Lange and Annie Mary Lyle Chair in Cardiovascular Research Chair Emeritus, Department of Pharmacology
Professor, Department Of Pharmacology Vanderbilt University Medical Center
442 Robinson Research Building
Nashville, TN 37232-6600
(615) 343-9536

Molecular basis of G protein – mediated signaling mechanisms PreviousNext

My work is focused on understanding the molecular basis of signaling mechanisms mediated by G proteins, which are switch proteins. G proteins are normally inactive, but a receptor that has received a specific signal can activate G proteins, leading to changes in the activity of enzymes that produce second messengers such as cyclic AMP and calcium.

The resulting changes in cellular activity underlie a large number of physiological processes. G protein-mediated signalling cascades are key regulators of many physiological processes, including processes of development, differentiation, and regulation of cell division.