Paul J. Bertics
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Professor
Office: (608) 262-8667 |
Paul J. Bertics, Ph.D., joined the UW faculty in 1986 and is currently the Kellett Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry and a member of the Executive Committee (Leader of the Cancer Cell Biology Program) of the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center (UWCCC) and Co-Director in the Material Sciences Research Center (MRSEC, School of Engineering).
Research: His research is focused on hormone action in growth control and immune function, and he has received the Inbusch Award for Meritorious Research, the Eli Lilly Biochemistry Award, and the Kellett Award. His publication record consists of over 110 publications and 4 patents in the areas of cell signaling, endocrinology and the biochemistry. His current funding includes five NIH grants and one NSF grant. Dr. Bertics is or has been a member of various editorial boards (e.g., Endocrinology and Methods in Molecular Biology) and major grant review panels (NIH Study Sections, an American Cancer Society Panel, and VA Merit Review Boards). Dr. Bertics has served on international grant review panels including the Arthritis Research Campaign (UK), the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the Wellcome Trust (UK), the Medical Research Council (UK), and the Alberta Herit McCafferty Grant Program (Canada).
Teaching: Dr. Bertics teaches extensively at the undergraduate, graduate and medical school levels. He has received several teaching awards including the UW Distinguished Teaching Award- Chancellor's Teaching Award, the UW Medical School (student-selected) Teaching Award, the UW Medical School Distinguished Teaching Award (an alumni award), the UW Medical School Dean's Teaching Award, the UW Medical Student Association Pacemaker Award For Teaching Excellence (2 time recipient), and Hilldale Undergraduate/ Faculty Research Fellowships (over 10 times).
Service: Dr. Bertics' University/School service include: the UW Biological Sciences Divisional Executive Committee (served as Chair), the WARF Fellowship Committee (served as Chair), the UW Distinguished Teaching Awards Committee (served as Chair), the Medical School Admissions Committee (current Chair), the Medical School Research Committee (current Chair), the Hilldale Awards Committee (current Chair of the Biological Sciences section), the School of Veterinary Medicine Promotions Committee, a UW Re-accreditation subcommittee (Biological Science), the Undergraduate Molecular Biology Program (Advisor), and the Chancellor's Scholar Mentor Program. His Search Committee experience includes searches for the Chair of the Dept. of Medicine (2 times), the Chair of the Dept. of Anesthesiology, the Chair of Surgery, the Director of the UWCCC, the Division Head for Endocrinology (Dept. of Medicine), faculty positions in the School of Veterinary Medicine (Comparative Biosciences) (2 times), faculty positions in the Dept. of Biomolecular Chemistry (6 times), the Associate Dean for Student Affairs- UW Medical School, and the Director of the Intercollege Center for Biology Education.
Education
- B.S. 1978, University of California, Los Angeles;
- Ph.D. 1984, University of Wisconsin;
- Postdoctoral 1984-86, University of California, San Diego.
Honors & Awards
- University of Wisconsin Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award
- Eli Lilly Biochemistry Grantee
- Dorothy and Charles Inbusch Award for Meritorious Research, 1990
- March of Dimes Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, 1987
- Shaw Scholar Award (Milwaukee Foundation), 1987.
Research Interests
The research program is focused on characterizing the regulation of cell proliferation and function by growth factors, cytokines and bacterial toxins (i.e., endotoxin). Accordingly, this work has direct application to the understanding of the events that are involved in the development of cancer and the mechanisms associated with the immune response that is generated following bacterial infections. The growth factor research has centered on an examination of the structure, regulation and mode of action of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, which is a ligand-activated protein-tyrosine kinase known to be of considerable importance in cell growth control. These studies also entail an analysis of systems that can serve to regulate EGF receptor function, includ ing protein kinase C and growth hormone receptor-mediated pathways. Because abnormal control of the EGF receptor can lead to metastatic cqancer, we have a special interest in the role of the EGF receptor as an anti-cancer target. In particular, our studies have focused on examining how EGF receptor kinase activity can be specified/modulated by direct receptor association with the cellular cytoskeleton, membrane lipid rafts, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and ECM receptors.
In terms of our studies on immune function, our work has centered on analyzing the regulation of two types of leukocytes (white blood cells), namely the macrophage and the eosinophil. Our studies have revealed that the action of nucleotide receptors (ATP/ADP receptors), which are often activated following tissue damage, inflammation and clotting, appear critical for bacterial endotoxin to bring about its biological effects such as macrophage activation, cytokine production, shock and death. Similarly, the function of receptors for the interleukin-5 (IL-5) family of cytokines is essential for eosinophil activation and inflammatory responses associated with the development of diseases such as asthma. Therefore, we are currently assessing the signaling mechanisms associated with endotoxin, IL-5 and nucleotide-mediated immunomodulation, with an emphasis on the structural and functional characterization of the capacity of selected adenine nucleotides to protect animals from endotoxic death.
Publications of Note
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University
of Wisconsin - Department
of Biomolecular Chemistry
First published: 01/01/05 Last updated:
1/18/05 Email Biomolecular Chemistry
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