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Overview

MEMBRANE TRAFFIC AND CELL MOTILITY

The central focus of the laboratory is the development and use of new optical microscopy and biophysical techniques to study the properties of living cells. We use digital imaging devices, confocal microscopes, multiphoton microscopy, automated microscopy systems, and image processing computers to analyze processes occurring at specific sites within cells. Using these tools, we study the distribution and movement of various types of molecules in cells. We are interested both in the basic mechanisms regulating the movement of molecules through cells as well as the role that these processes play in specific diseases. Our studies of endocytic trafficking are aimed at developing a complete map and kinetic model for endocytic membrane traffic of receptors, ligands, and membrane lipid components. We use fluorescent tracers to follow the fates of specific molecules. For example, we have used naturally fluorescent sterols to see how cholesterol moves around in cells. We also use various biochemical and molecular biology techniques to test the role of specific proteins in directing membrane traffic in living cells. We are also studying disease-related endocytic processes such as the uptake of large lipoproteins by macrophages leading to atherosclerotic lesions and the interaction of cells with the proteins that form Alzheimer's disease plaques. Each of these uses variations of the basic endocytic processes that we have characterized.
Lab web page: https://www.maxfieldlab.org

Dr. Maxfield is a faculty member in the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology.

Highlights

  1. 1
    Molecular biology of the cell · 2023
    NSNoah SteinfeldFRFrederick R. Maxfield
    PMID: 37910189PMCID: PMC10881170DOISenior author9 citations
  2. 2
    The Journal of biological chemistry · 2022
    GKGeorge KhelashviliHWHarel WeinsteinFRFrederick R. Maxfield
    PMID: 35605664PMCID: PMC9207681DOISenior author12 citations
  3. 3
    ACS pharmacology & translational science · 2021
    FRFrederick R. Maxfield
    PMID: 34151204PMCID: PMC8204796DOISenior author9 citations

Publications

266 publications

Funding

29 grantsView NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

7 grants
  • KP
    Lysosomal pH Imaging in the Intact Brain in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
    Alzheimer's Association National Office · 2027–2029
    AARGA-26-1662228
  • KP
    Characterizing a novel mechanism that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2026–2028
    K99HL181309-01A1
  • PI
    Macrophage-Lipoprotein Interactions
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2011–2027· 4 renewals
    R01HL093324-15
  • KP
    Novel mechanisms of macrophage foam cell formation.
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2025–2027
    K99HL177310-01A1
  • PI
    Role of microglial lysosomes in amyloid-A-beta degradation
    National Institute on Aging · 2023–2027
    R01AG078244-02
  • Sub-PI
    Two approaches: Chaperones and targeted cyclodextrins
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2023–2027 · via University of Notre Dame
    UND 232022-04
  • KP
    Characterizing a novel mechanism that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis
    American Heart Association · 2024–2025
    24POST1191688
Completed grants (22)
  • KP
    Investigating the roles of sterol transport protein STARD4 in foam cell formation
    American Heart Association · 2024–2025
    24POST1193887
  • PI
    Role of Microglia in Degradation and Trimming of Alzheimer’s Amyloid Beta
    Cure Alzheimer’s Fund · 2021–2023
    CAF 211540-02
  • Sub-PI
    Design and Synthesis of Bio-organic Small Molecule Tools for Investigations of Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2022–2023 · via University of Notre Dame
    UND 226170-01
  • Sub-PI
    Systematic examination of the role of chaperones in folding the NPC1 protein
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2021–2023 · via University of Notre Dame
    UND 214657-02
  • PI
    Intracellular Cholesterol Transport
    National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2018–2022
    R01GM123462-04
  • PI
    Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors for Treatment of Niemann-Pick C1 Disease
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2015–2021· 2 renewals
    R01NS092653-05
  • Sub-PI
    Systematic examination of the role of chaperones in folding the NPC1 protein
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2020–2021 · via University of Notre Dame
    UND 204273-01
  • Sub-PI
    Actively Targeted BBB-Crossing Cyclodextrin Derivatives for Treatment of NPC
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2019–2021 · via University of Notre Dame
    UND 193975-01
  • PI
    REGULATION OF MICROGLIAL LYSOSOME ACIDIFICATION
    Cure Alzheimer’s Fund · 2018–2020
    CAF 182540-2
  • PI
    Systematic examination of the role of chaperones in folding the NPC1 protein
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2019–2020
    ARA PMRF 193632-01
  • PI
    The functions of the endolysosomal system in the interaction between amyloid plaques and microglia
    Cornell University - Ithaca · 2018–2020
    CU 190470-01
  • PI
    OHRI-WCM Macrophage biology and lipid metabolism Research Agreement.
    Ottawa Hospital Research Institute · 2018–2020Contract
    SA 183795-02
  • Sub-PI
    Proteostatic regulation for treatment of NPC1 disease - Sigma-2 receptor binders
    ARA Parseghian Medical Research Foundation · 2017–2019 · via Washington University, The
    No publications yet
    APMRF 190655-02
  • Sub-PI
    A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of Vorinostat in Niemann-Pick C1 Disease
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2014–2016 · via Washington University, The
    U01HD079065-03
  • PI
    Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis - Mechanism and Function
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2010–2016
    R37DK027083-36EWO
  • PI
    Intraneuronal Abeta accumulation: mechanism of pathogenesis
    NIA · 2007–2012 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01AG027140-04
  • PI
    A JEM 1400 Electron Microscope for a Core Facility
    NCRR · 2010–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
    S10RR027699-01
  • PI
    A multiphoton microscope for translational and basic biomedical research
    NCRR · 2010–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
    S10RR029663-01
  • MPI
    Plasma membrane cholesterol and monocyte /macrophage function
    NHLBI · 2003–2008 · via NIH RePORTER
    P01HL072942-05
  • PI
    ESR STUDY OF BIOPHYSICAL EFFECTS OF CHOLESTEROL ON ER-PROTEIN FUNCTION
    NCRR · 2004–2006 · via NIH RePORTER
    P41RR016292-05
  • PI
    INTERACTIONS BETWEEN MICROGLIA AND BETA AMYLOID PLAQUES
    NINDS · 1995–2006 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01NS034761-09
  • PI
    CYSTOLIC-FREE CALCIUM AND CELL MOTILITY
    NIGMS · 1985–2005 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01GM034770-17

Available technologies

2 technologiesView full WCM portfolio ↗

Media highlights

1 clip

Mentoring

6 menteesAll publications with mentees →

External relationships

Leadership Roles

Burke Neurological Institute

Ownership

Amlogenyx INC

Other

Amlogenyx INC