Collagen Dynamics Lab
Howard C. Crawford · East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State University · Pharmacology
Research focus
Dr. Howard C. Crawford's lab investigates how collagen proteins contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. By studying a specific receptor that interacts with collagen, the lab aims to uncover new insights into how these proteins influence cancer behavior and identify potential targets for treatment. The ultimate goal is to improve survival rates for patients suffering from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
pancreatic cancercollagen signalingDDR1 receptortumor microenvironmentmetastasisfibrosiskinase signalingcancer treatmentdrug discovery
Research aims
5AIM 01Investigate how COL11/DDR1 signaling enhances metastasis in pancreatic cancer.
AIM 02Map the different collagen types and their specific effects on DDR1 activation.
AIM 03Identify new druggable targets linked to the COL5/11-DDR1 pathway.
AIM 04Explore the role of collagen in the tumor microenvironment related to pancreatic cancer.
AIM 05Develop therapeutic strategies aimed at improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Skills the lab values
cell culturemouse modelsin vivo experimentationbiochemical assaysWestern blottingRNA sequencingimmunohistochemistryflow cytometrydata analysisphospho-kinase profiling
Output against the department
632publicationstop 6% of the department28th of 462
most publishedleast published
20kcitationstop 18% of the department83rd of 462
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. Position on each rail is this lab's rank, not its distance from the top: a department runs from one paper to tens of thousands, so rank is the only comparison that stays readable across it.