Scientists working in the laboratory of Professor Tom Sakmar want to understand how cells communicate with each other and how they sense the environment..

The Sakmar Laboratory research program focuses on the molecular mechanism of transmembrane signal transduction by a ubiquitous family of cell-surface receptors called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This is covered in the Overview section.

The SakmarLab uses genetic, biochemical and biophysical methods to learn how signals from outside a cell are relayed across its membrane and into the cell interior, where they elicit responses via the process of signal transduction. This is covererd in the What We Do section.

Much of this work focuses on molecules known as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), or seven-transmembrane heptahelical receptors, which play a key role in transducing a wide range of transmembrane signals. The SakmarLab also studies celluar proteins that transmit and regulate these signals. This is covered in the Research section.

Dr. Sakmar and his colleagues believe that new technologies and capabilities will make significant interdisciplinary work possible to advance the understanding of how heptahelical receptors really work. This is covered in the Tools section.

Dr. Sakmar and his colleagues and collaborators have published research articles, book chapters, reviews and commentaries that report discoveries made over the past 20 years. These are all listed in the Publications section.