The Frohman laboratory cloned and has been exploring translational roles for the mammalian family of lipid-signaling Phospholipase D genes for the two decades. PLD superfamily members are involved in many physiological and pathophysiological settings including immune defenses, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fertility. Among other approaches, we have recently been generating and publishing findings with mice lacking each of the PLD isoforms, and have uncovered a number of fascinating stories with human health relevance. Recent work has included exploring the potential of using a Phospholipase D small molecule inhibitor as a therapeutic in stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer progression settings. Cell biological processes of particular interest include mitochondrial fusion and fission, subcellular trafficking of membrane vesicles during signaling activated exocytosis and endocytosis, viral trafficking through the Golgi complex, integrin activation, and receptor signaling.

Michael Frohman undertook training in a variety of disciplines including biochemistry, immunology, and developmental biology. During his postdoctoral fellowship, he developed the molecular biological technique known as “5’ RACE” which since has seen wide use, first in cDNA cloning and now in the cataloging of endogenous RNAi. The Frohman lab cloned the mammalian family of PLD isoforms in the mid-to-late ‘90s, and has since been exploring their function in numerous disease settings. Alumni of the Frohman lab have faculty positions in South Korea, Russia, and the USA.