Timothy E. McGraw, Ph.D., and his lab team study endocytic membrane trafficking. Eukaryotic cells internalize extracellular ligands such as proteins and nutrients by a process called endocytosis. Endocytosis also mediates the internalization of cellular membrane proteins, such as transporters and receptors, into tubular-vesicular structures called endosomes. In addition to playing a key role in many constitutive cellular functions (i.e., nutrient uptake), the endocytic system is involved in a number of important regulated processes. Membrane trafficking is the subject of intense study. There are two main projects ongoing in my lab. For a discussion of these projects please click on the links below.