Research Focus
The Baird research laboratory integrates a broad range of experimental approaches to investigate molecular mechanisms of receptor-mediated cell signaling that enables cells to sense and respond to environmental cues. Much of our work has focused on the high affinity receptor (FcεRI) for immunoglobulin E (IgE), which sensitizes mast cells to antigen and thereby plays a pivotal role in initiating inflammatory and allergic immune responses. We employ quantitative microscopy and other biophysical methods to monitor changes in the distributions and dynamics of receptors and signaling components that accompany cellular response activities, which we measure in parallel. A particular area of interest is the role of cellular membranes in regulating and targeting signaling pathways. We have long worked to characterize IgE-FcεRI- mediated signaling in RBL mast cells as a model system for addressing fundamental questions of cellular response mechanisms initiated by other receptors and environmental factors. Similarly, we are translating the experimental techniques and cell response concepts developed in our work to elucidate mechanisms in other cell types, including those involved in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Publications
- Bag, Nirmalya, D. Holowka, B. Baird. 2019. . bioRciv
- Ramezani, M., M.M. Wilkes, T. Das, D. Holowka, D. Eliezer and B. Baird. 2019. . npj Parkinson’s Disease 5(1): 1-17
- Mitra, E.D., S.C. Whitehead, D. Holowka, B. Baird and J.P. Sethna. 2018. . J. Phys. Chem. B 122(13): 3500-3513
- Wakefield, D.L., D. Holowka and B. Baird. 2017. Mol. Biol. Cell 28(23): 3383-3396
- Korzeniowski, M.K., E. Wisniewski, B. Baird, D.A. Holowka and T. Balla. 2017. J. Cell Sci. 130(17): 2821-2832
- Holowka, D. and B. Baird. 2017. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Biomembranes 1859: 1430-1435
- Shelby, S.A., S.L. Veatch, D.A. Holowka and B.A. Baird. 2016. . Mol. Biol. Cell 27(22): 3645-3658
- Sun, C., D.L. Wakefield, Y. Han, D.A. Muller, D.A. Holowka, B.A. Baird and W.R. Dichtel. 2016. . Chem 1(2): 273-286
- Wilson, J.D., S.A. Shelby, D. Holowka and B. Baird. 2016. . Traffic 17(9): 1027-1041
- Holowka, D. and B. Baird. 2016 Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1861(8): 830-836
- Singhai, A., D.L. Wakefield, K.L. Bryant, S.R. Hammes, D. Holowka and B. Baird. 2015. . Biophys. J. 107(11): 2639-2651.
- Holowka, D. and B. Baird. 2015. . Essays in Biochemistry: Membrane Nanodomains; Vol. 57, pp. 147-163.
- Kelly, C.V., D.L. Wakefield, D.A. Holowka, H.G. Craighead and B.A. Baird. 2014. . ACS Nano 8(7): 7392-7404.
- Wilkes, M.M., J.D. Wilson, B. Baird and D. Holowka. 2014. . Biology Open 3(8): 700-710.
- Chylek, L.A., D.A. Holowka, B.A. Baird and W.S. Hlavacek. 2014. . Front. Immunol. 5: 172.
- Welch, M. Elizabeth, N.L. Ritzert, H. Chen, N.L. Smith, M.E. Tague, Y. Xu, B.A. Baird, H.D. Abruña and C.K. Ober. 2014. . J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136(5): 1879-1883.
- Shelby, S.A., D. Holowka, B. Baird and S.L. Veatch. 2013. . Biophys. J. 105(10): 2343-2354.
- Bryant, K.L., M.A. Antonyak, R.A. Cerione, B. Baird and D. Holowka. 2013. . J. Biol. Chem. 288(48): 34930-34942.
- Veatch, S.L., B.B. Machta, S.A. Shelby, E.N. Chiang, D.A. Holowka and B.A. Baird. 2012. . PLoS One 7(2): e31457.
- Veatch, S., E. Chiang, P. Sengupta, D. Holowka and B. Baird. 2012. . J. Phys. Chem. B. 116(23): 6923-6935.
In the news
- Taylor retires from role leading A&S administration
- Baird honored among Distinguished Women in Chemistry, 2021
- A&S dean leaves legacy of support for students, faculty
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ & Â鶹ÊÓƵ names new Senior Associate DeanÂ
- Phi Beta Kappa celebrates 135th induction
- WW2-Era U.S. spy Stephanie Rader ’37 posthumously honored with Legion of Merit
