Prof. Burstyn-Cohen Tal (PhD)
Researc
h interest:
We are eager to understand how our body maintains homeostasis, and study the role of Protein S (PROS1) in this context. PROS1 is best known for its potent anticoagulant function in maintaining blood fluidity, but we study PROS1 as a ligand for the receptors TYRO3, AXL and MERTK – the TAMs in health and in disease.
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PROS1 in the central nervous system: We revealed PROS1 expression in adult neural stem cells, and its key role in regulating neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Current research continues to reveal PROS1 functions in the nervous system, in neurons, astrocytes and microglia. The developmental roles of PROS1 in embryogenesis will also be studied.
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PROS1 in other issues: The role of PROS1 in the life-long circadian phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments and retinal viability, as well as in angiogenesis and vascular integrity.
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PROS1 in cancers: Another branch in the lab studies the role of PROS1 and its receptors in cancer biology: oral cancer and melanoma in particular. We also investigate the role of PROS1 in the immune response to cancer and its impact on disease outcome.