University of Colorado Boulder · ChemistryCellular Signaling Dynamics Lab
Natalie G. Ahn · Boulder, Colorado
Research Focus
Dr. Natalie G. Ahn's lab at the University of Colorado studies how proteins regulate cellular responses, especially focusing on the MAP kinase ERK2 involved in signaling pathways. By understanding the dynamics of enzyme activation and the effects of varying strengths of signaling, her research aims to uncover mechanisms that can lead to new cancer treatments. Students in this lab will gain hands-on experience in biochemistry and cell biology, contributing to important discoveries in molecular biology.
MAP kinasesignal transductioncancer researchallosteric regulationprotein dynamicsenzymescell signaling
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the allosteric regulation of the MAP kinase ERK2.
AIM 02Characterize how protein motions affect enzyme activation.
AIM 03Examine how different strengths of ERK signaling influence cellular responses.
AIM 04Develop insights that could lead to novel cancer therapeutics.
AIM 05Explore molecular processes central to cellular regulation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureprotein purificationWestern blotfluorescence microscopybiochemical assaysenzyme kineticscomputational modeling
Output against the department
Publications235top 47% of dept.101st of 216
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations23ktop 21% of dept.46th of 216
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.