Marja M. Hurley, M.D.

My laboratory examines molecular mechanisms by which members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGFs) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) families, (produced by osteoblasts, osteoclasts and stromal cells) regulate bone development, remodeling and disorders of bone. Fgf2 knockout and Fgf2 transgenic mice are utilized in loss and gain of function experiments to elucidate the role of FGF-2 in disorders of bone including osteoporosis. Other projects involve examination of the effects of cytokines and hormones including interleukin-1 (IL-1), parathyroid hormone (PTH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), prostaglandins (PGs) and glucocorticoids on FGF2 and FGFR signaling, gene transcription, mRNA stability and the activity of transfected Fgf2 promoter-luciferase reporter gene constructs.