Terry H. Lechler
Professor in Dermatology
My lab is interested in understanding how tissue architecture and physiology are controlled. We study this in a variety of organ systems, including the skin the gut, and with approaches ranging from in vitro reconstitution to in vivo mouse models. Our goal is to understand the underlying cell biology controlling tissue development and function. We are particularly interested in the roles of cell-cell interactions, adhesion and the cytoskeleton in the control of stem cell fate and differentiation.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Professor in Dermatology, Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments 2020
- Associate Professor of Cell Biology, Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments 2014
- Professor in Cell Biology, Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments 2020
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2006
- Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center, Regeneration Next Initiative, Basic Science Departments 2021
Contact Information
- 310 Nanaline Duke Bldg, Durham, NC 27710
- Duke Box 3709, Durham, NC 27710
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terry.lechler@duke.edu
(919) 684-4550
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Lechler Lab Hompepage
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Postdoctoral Associate, Rockefeller University 2002 - 2006
- Ph.D., Harvard University 2001
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor in Dermatology, Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments 2016 - 2020
- Associate Professor of Dermatology, Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments 2013 - 2016
- Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments 2011 - 2013
- Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments 2006 - 2013
- Recognition
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In the News
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APR 15, 2022 School of Medicine
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Awards & Honors
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
- Research
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Selected Grants
- Duke Training Grant in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition awarded by National Institutes of Health 1988 - 2027
- Regulatory Functions of the Differentiated Epidermis awarded by National Institutes of Health 2022 - 2027
- Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology awarded by National Institutes of Health 2001 - 2027
- Spindle Orientation in Skin Development and Homeostasis awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2026
- Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2026
- Genetic and Genomics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2025
- Genetic approaches to skin regeneration in zebrafish awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2025
- Translational Regulation by Desmosomes awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2023
- Cellular and Environmental Regulation of Protein Absorption and Utilization in the Early Intestine awarded by National Institutes of Health 2019 - 2022
- Intestinal Morphogenesis and Differentiation awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2022
- A microtubule catastrophe factor regulates stem cell position and number in the skin awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2021
- Super-resolution Imaging via Multiple Modalities with the Zeiss Elyra 7 awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2021
- Role of Cell Adhesion and the Cytoskeleton in Epidermal Integrity awarded by National Institutes of Health 2015 - 2021
- Intermediate Cell Functions in Epidermal Development awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2021
- Genetics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 1979 - 2020
- Organization and Function of Cellular Structure awarded by National Institutes of Health 1975 - 2020
- Differentiation Induced Changes in Centrosomes and Microtubule Organization awarded by National Institutes of Health 2014 - 2019
- Cell and tissue responses to desmosome disruption awarded by Dermatology Foundation 2014 - 2015
- Mechanisms Driving Asymmetric Cell Division in the Epidermis awarded by National Institutes of Health 2011 - 2012
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Bara, Anne M., Lei Chen, Celina Ma, Julie Underwood, Rebecca S. Moreci, Kaelyn Sumigray, Tongyu Sun, Yarui Diao, Michael Verzi, and Terry Lechler. “Maf family transcription factors are required for nutrient uptake in the mouse neonatal gut.” Development 149, no. 23 (December 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.201251.Full Text Link to Item
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Hinnant, Taylor, and Terry Lechler. “Hair follicle stem cells feel the pressure.” Cell Stem Cell 29, no. 1 (January 6, 2022): 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2021.12.001.Full Text Link to Item
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Moreci, Rebecca S., and Terry Lechler. “KIF18B is a cell type-specific regulator of spindle orientation in the epidermis.” Mol Biol Cell 32, no. 21 (November 1, 2021): ar29. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E21-06-0291.Full Text Link to Item
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Kim, Yong-Bae, Daniel Hlavaty, Jeff Maycock, and Terry Lechler. “Roles for Ndel1 in keratin organization and desmosome function.” Mol Biol Cell 32, no. 20 (October 1, 2021): ar2. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E21-02-0087.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry, and Marina Mapelli. “Spindle positioning and its impact on vertebrate tissue architecture and cell fate.” Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology 22, no. 10 (October 2021): 691–708. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-021-00384-4.Full Text
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Ning, Wenxiu, Andrew Muroyama, Hua Li, and Terry Lechler. “Differentiated Daughter Cells Regulate Stem Cell Proliferation and Fate through Intra-tissue Tension.” Cell Stem Cell 28, no. 3 (March 4, 2021): 436-452.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2020.11.002.Full Text Link to Item
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Hlavaty, Daniel, and Terry Lechler. “Roles for microtubules in the proliferative and differentiated cells of stratified epithelia.” Curr Opin Cell Biol 68 (February 2021): 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceb.2020.10.002.Full Text Link to Item
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Wang, Sha, James P. Roy, Abigail J. Tomlinson, Ellen B. Wang, Yu-Hwai Tsai, Lisa Cameron, Julie Underwood, et al. “RYK-mediated filopodial pathfinding facilitates midgut elongation.” Development 147, no. 20 (October 27, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.195388.Full Text Link to Item
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Badu-Nkansah, Kwabena A., and Terry Lechler. “Proteomic analysis of desmosomes reveals novel components required for epidermal integrity.” Mol Biol Cell 31, no. 11 (May 15, 2020): 1140–53. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E19-09-0542.Full Text Link to Item
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Moreci, Rebecca S., and Terry Lechler. “Epidermal structure and differentiation.” Curr Biol 30, no. 4 (February 24, 2020): R144–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.004.Full Text Link to Item
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Park, Jieun, Daniel S. Levic, Kaelyn D. Sumigray, Jennifer Bagwell, Oznur Eroglu, Carina L. Block, Cagla Eroglu, et al. “Lysosome-Rich Enterocytes Mediate Protein Absorption in the Vertebrate Gut.” Dev Cell 51, no. 1 (October 7, 2019): 7-20.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2019.08.001.Full Text Link to Item
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Morrow, Angel, Julie Underwood, Lindsey Seldin, Taylor Hinnant, and Terry Lechler. “Regulated spindle orientation buffers tissue growth in the epidermis.” Elife 8 (October 2, 2019). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.48482.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn, and Terry Lechler. “Cellular Dynamics Driving Elongation of the Gut.” Dev Cell 46, no. 2 (July 16, 2018): 127–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.06.027.Full Text Link to Item
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Muroyama, Andrew, Michael Terwilliger, Bushu Dong, Harrison Suh, and Terry Lechler. “Genetically induced microtubule disruption in the mouse intestine impairs intracellular organization and transport.” Mol Biol Cell 29, no. 13 (July 1, 2018): 1533–41. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E18-01-0057.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., Michael Terwilliger, and Terry Lechler. “Morphogenesis and Compartmentalization of the Intestinal Crypt.” Dev Cell 45, no. 2 (April 23, 2018): 183-197.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.03.024.Full Text Link to Item
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Muroyama, Andrew, and Terry Lechler. “A transgenic toolkit for visualizing and perturbing microtubules reveals unexpected functions in the epidermis.” Elife 6 (September 4, 2017). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.29834.Full Text Link to Item
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Muroyama, Andrew, and Terry Lechler. “Microtubule organization, dynamics and functions in differentiated cells.” Development 144, no. 17 (September 1, 2017): 3012–21. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.153171.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry, and Rafael E. Carazo Salas. “Editorial overview: Cell architecture: Mechanisms and scales of cellular organization and decision making.” Curr Opin Cell Biol 44 (February 2017): iv–v. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceb.2017.03.009.Full Text Link to Item
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Muroyama, Andrew, Lindsey Seldin, and Terry Lechler. “Divergent regulation of functionally distinct γ-tubulin complexes during differentiation.” J Cell Biol 213, no. 6 (June 20, 2016): 679–92. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201601099.Full Text Link to Item
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Zhang, Xiaoling, Joseph Wu, Suju Luo, Terry Lechler, and Jennifer Y. Zhang. “FRA1 promotes squamous cell carcinoma growth and metastasis through distinct AKT and c-Jun dependent mechanisms.” Oncotarget 7, no. 23 (June 7, 2016): 34371–83. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.9110.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Seldin, Lindsey, Andrew Muroyama, and Terry Lechler. “NuMA-microtubule interactions are critical for spindle orientation and the morphogenesis of diverse epidermal structures.” Elife 5 (January 14, 2016). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12504.Full Text Link to Item
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Morrow, Angel, and Terry Lechler. “Studying cell biology in the skin.” Mol Biol Cell 26, no. 23 (November 15, 2015): 4183–86. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E15-04-0246.Full Text Link to Item
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Zhou, Kang, Kaelyn D. Sumigray, and Terry Lechler. “The Arp2/3 complex has essential roles in vesicle trafficking and transcytosis in the mammalian small intestine.” Mol Biol Cell 26, no. 11 (June 1, 2015): 1995–2004. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E14-10-1481.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., and Terry Lechler. “Cell adhesion in epidermal development and barrier formation.” Curr Top Dev Biol 112 (2015): 383–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.ctdb.2014.11.027.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, T. “Arp2/3 complex function in the epidermis.” Tissue Barriers 2, no. 4 (October 30, 2014). https://doi.org/10.4161/21688362.2014.944445.Full Text
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Huebner, Robert J., Terry Lechler, and Andrew J. Ewald. “Developmental stratification of the mammary epithelium occurs through symmetry-breaking vertical divisions of apically positioned luminal cells.” Development 141, no. 5 (March 2014): 1085–94. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.103333.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn, Kang Zhou, and Terry Lechler. “Cell-cell adhesions and cell contractility are upregulated upon desmosome disruption.” Plos One 9, no. 7 (2014): e101824. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101824.Full Text Link to Item
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Seldin, Lindsey, Nicholas D. Poulson, Henry P. Foote, and Terry Lechler. “NuMA localization, stability, and function in spindle orientation involve 4.1 and Cdk1 interactions.” Mol Biol Cell 24, no. 23 (December 2013): 3651–62. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E13-05-0277.Full Text Link to Item
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Zhou, Kang, Andrew Muroyama, Julie Underwood, Rebecca Leylek, Samriddha Ray, Scott H. Soderling, and Terry Lechler. “Actin-related protein2/3 complex regulates tight junctions and terminal differentiation to promote epidermal barrier formation.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110, no. 40 (October 1, 2013): E3820–29. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1308419110.Full Text Link to Item
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Ray, Samriddha, Henry P. Foote, and Terry Lechler. “beta-Catenin protects the epidermis from mechanical stresses.” J Cell Biol 202, no. 1 (July 8, 2013): 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201212140.Full Text Link to Item
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Foote, Henry P., Kaelyn D. Sumigray, and Terry Lechler. “FRAP analysis reveals stabilization of adhesion structures in the epidermis compared to cultured keratinocytes.” Plos One 8, no. 8 (2013): e71491. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071491.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., Henry P. Foote, and Terry Lechler. “Noncentrosomal microtubules and type II myosins potentiate epidermal cell adhesion and barrier formation.” J Cell Biol 199, no. 3 (October 29, 2012): 513–25. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201206143.Full Text Link to Item
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Muroyama, Andrew, and Terry Lechler. “Polarity and stratification of the epidermis.” Semin Cell Dev Biol 23, no. 8 (October 2012): 890–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2012.08.008.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., and Terry Lechler. “Desmoplakin controls microvilli length but not cell adhesion or keratin organization in the intestinal epithelium.” Mol Biol Cell 23, no. 5 (March 2012): 792–99. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E11-11-0923.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry. “Adherens junctions and stem cells.” Subcell Biochem 60 (2012): 359–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4186-7_15.Full Text Link to Item
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Poulson, Nicholas D., and Terry Lechler. “Asymmetric cell divisions in the epidermis.” Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 295 (2012): 199–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394306-4.00012-5.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., Hsin Chen, and Terry Lechler. “Lis1 is essential for cortical microtubule organization and desmosome stability in the epidermis.” J Cell Biol 194, no. 4 (August 22, 2011): 631–42. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201104009.Full Text Link to Item
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Ray, Samriddha, and Terry Lechler. “Regulation of asymmetric cell division in the epidermis.” Cell Div 6, no. 1 (June 6, 2011): 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-1028-6-12.Full Text Link to Item
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Poulson, Nicholas D., and Terry Lechler. “Robust control of mitotic spindle orientation in the developing epidermis.” J Cell Biol 191, no. 5 (November 29, 2010): 915–22. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201008001.Full Text Link to Item
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Sumigray, Kaelyn D., and Terry Lechler. “Dissecting cell adhesion cross-talk with micropatterns.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107, no. 30 (July 27, 2010): 13199–200. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1008253107.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry. “Limiting lumens: a new role for Cdc42.” J Cell Biol 183, no. 4 (November 17, 2008): 575–77. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200809174.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry. “Terry Lechler: the cytoskeleton is skin deep. Interview by Nicole LeBrasseur.” J Cell Biol 178, no. 4 (August 13, 2007): 546–47. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.1784pi.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry, and Elaine Fuchs. “Desmoplakin: an unexpected regulator of microtubule organization in the epidermis.” J Cell Biol 176, no. 2 (January 15, 2007): 147–54. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200609109.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, Terry, and Elaine Fuchs. “Asymmetric cell divisions promote stratification and differentiation of mammalian skin.” Nature 437, no. 7056 (September 8, 2005): 275–80. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature03922.Full Text Link to Item
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Kodama, Atsuko, Terry Lechler, and Elaine Fuchs. “Coordinating cytoskeletal tracks to polarize cellular movements.” J Cell Biol 167, no. 2 (October 25, 2004): 203–7. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200408047.Full Text Link to Item
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Tinkle, Christopher L., Terry Lechler, H Amalia Pasolli, and Elaine Fuchs. “Conditional targeting of E-cadherin in skin: insights into hyperproliferative and degenerative responses.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101, no. 2 (January 13, 2004): 552–57. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0307437100.Full Text Link to Item
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Yarrow, Justin C., Terry Lechler, Rong Li, and Timothy J. Mitchison. “Rapid de-localization of actin leading edge components with BDM treatment.” Bmc Cell Biol 4 (June 3, 2003): 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2121-4-5.Full Text Link to Item
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Soulard, Alexandre, Terry Lechler, Vladislav Spiridonov, Andrej Shevchenko, Anna Shevchenko, Rong Li, and Barbara Winsor. “Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bzz1p is implicated with type I myosins in actin patch polarization and is able to recruit actin-polymerizing machinery in vitro.” Mol Cell Biol 22, no. 22 (November 2002): 7889–7906. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.22.22.7889-7906.2002.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, T., G. A. Jonsdottir, S. K. Klee, D. Pellman, and R. Li. “A two-tiered mechanism by which Cdc42 controls the localization and activation of an Arp2/3-activating motor complex in yeast.” J Cell Biol 155, no. 2 (October 15, 2001): 261–70. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200104094.Full Text Link to Item
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Egile, C., T. Lechler, and R. Li. “Beyond a 'skeleton': Understanding cellular functions of the cytoskeleton.” Genome Biology 2, no. 3 (April 10, 2001).
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Lechler, T., A. Shevchenko, and R. Li. “Direct involvement of yeast type I myosins in Cdc42-dependent actin polymerization.” J Cell Biol 148, no. 2 (January 24, 2000): 363–73. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.148.2.363.Full Text Link to Item
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Winter, D., T. Lechler, and R. Li. “Activation of the yeast Arp2/3 complex by Bee1p, a WASP-family protein.” Curr Biol 9, no. 9 (May 6, 1999): 501–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-9822(99)80218-8.Full Text Link to Item
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Xiao, W., T. Lechler, B. L. Chow, T. Fontanie, M. Agustus, K. C. Carter, and Y. F. Wei. “Identification, chromosomal mapping and tissue-specific expression of hREV3 encoding a putative human DNA polymerase zeta.” Carcinogenesis 19, no. 5 (May 1998): 945–49. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/19.5.945.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, T., and R. Li. “In vitro reconstitution of cortical actin assembly sites in budding yeast.” J Cell Biol 138, no. 1 (July 14, 1997): 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.138.1.95.Full Text Link to Item
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Dimmock, J. R., R. N. Puthucode, J. M. Smith, M. Hetherington, J. W. Quail, U. Pugazhenthi, T. Lechler, and J. P. Stables. “(Aryloxy)aryl semicarbazones and related compounds: a novel class of anticonvulsant agents possessing high activity in the maximal electroshock screen.” J Med Chem 39, no. 20 (September 27, 1996): 3984–97. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm9603025.Full Text Link to Item
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Lechler, T. “Oxidized LDL as mediators of atherogenesis.” Herz Kreislauf 28, no. 9 (September 26, 1996): 276–81.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- CELLBIO 493: Research Independent Study 2023
- CELLBIO 830: Developmental Biology Colloquium 2023
- BIOLOGY 493: Research Independent Study 2022
- CELLBIO 493: Research Independent Study 2022
- CELLBIO 830: Developmental Biology Colloquium 2022
- CMB 710C: Cell & Molecular Biology Module III 2022
- DSCB 700: Classic Papers in Development, Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration 2022
- DSCB 730: Hands on Development 2022
- BIOLOGY 293: Research Independent Study 2021
- CELLBIO 493: Research Independent Study 2021
- CMB 710A: Cell & Molecular Biology Module I 2021
- CMB 710B: Cell & Molecular Biology Module II 2021
- DSCB 700: Classic Papers in Development, Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration 2021
- DSCB 730: Hands on Development 2021
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Service to the Profession
- Ad Hoc Member. Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin Study Section. National Institutes of Health. 2017 2017
- Special Interest Study Section Panel. Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Science. National Institutes of Health. 2016 2016
- Ad Hoc Member. Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin Study Section. National Institutes of Health. 2015 2015
- Ad Hoc Member. Intercellular Interactions Study Section. National Institutes of Health. 2015 2015
- Organizer. Special Interest Subgroup. American Society for Cell Biology. 2015 2015
- P Grant Reviewer. National Institutes of Health. 2015 2015
- Meeting Planning Committee. American Society for Cell Biology. 2012 - 2013 2012 - 2013
- Meeting Task Group. Society for Investigative Dermatology. 2011 2011
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Service to Duke
- Department Of Cell Biology. Chair Search Committee. 2017 2017
- Department Of Cell Biology. Executive Committee of Graduate Faculty. 2016 2016
- Duke University. Duke Health Scholars Selection Committee. 2016 2016
- Director of Enrichment Activities. Pinnell Center of Investigative Dermatology. Duke Dermatology. 2014 - 2016 2014 - 2016
- Director of Graduate Studies. Duke Department of Cell Biology. 2013 - 2015 2013 - 2015
- Duke University. Chancellor's Scholars Admission Committee. 2012 2012
- Duke University. Academic Council. 2011 - 2013 2011 - 2013
- Cell Biology Retreat Committee. 2010 2010
- Organizer. Duke University Epithelial Biology Club. 2010 - 2013 2010 - 2013
- Organizer. Cell Biology Seminar Series. 2008 - 2009 2008 - 2009
- Cell Biology Distinguished Lecture Series Committee. 2007 2007
- Cell Biology Graduate Student Preliminary Exam Committees. 2007 - 2012 2007 - 2012
- Department Of Cell Biology. Faculty Search Committee. 2007 2007
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