Research Interests
Dr. Old is interested in the signaling networks that regulate cell growth, development and communication in multicellular organisms, and how defects in these networks drive cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. Of particular interest is how kinases integrate extracellular signals with transcription, mRNA splicing, and pathways that control growth and patterning. On a technological front, Dr. Old's lab is developing advanced mass spectrometry methods and multi-omic integrative approaches to facilitate the identification of molecular mechanism of action of new therapeutic drugs and small molecules with poorly understood mechanisms. Using new stem cell derived model systems, they are applying these technologies to understand the molecular basis for altered neurodevelopment in Down syndrome, and the role of DYRK1A in neuronal development, tissue-specific transcription, and splicing.