Laura R. McCabe

Associate Professor, Physiology
and Associate Professor, Radiology.

2201 Biomedical Physical Sciences
517-355-6475x1156
E-mail: mccabel@msu.edu

Research Interests:
Aging, disuse and disease contribute to decreased bone density (seen in over 34 million Americans) and its associated increase in fracture risk.  In the elderly, a bone fracture is strongly associated with depression and morbidity.  Most therapies prevent bone resorption, while few are able to enhance bone formation.  Dr. McCabe’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms regulating bone cell (osteoblast) differentiation and bone formation. Her lab is taking an integrative approach to examine bone adaptation to diseases (such as diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease) and is working toward identifying mechanisms regulating bone formation by osteoblasts.  Approaches include examination of transcription factor activity, intracellular signaling pathway activation, stem cell lineage selection, apoptosis, metabolism and immune system contributions utilizing cell culture systems, animal models and human imaging. McCabe’s lab is also developing therapeutics to target identified mechanisms/pathways to increase bone formation.

Educational Background:
University of Chicago, B.S., 1986, Biology  
University of Chicago, Ph.D., 1991, Toxicology 

Selected Professional Activities:
Dr. McCabe received both the Young Investigator Award and the Hulda Irene Duggan Award from the Arthritis Foundation. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.  She serves on grant review panels, including American Diabetes Association (ADA) and NIH.  She serves on the Melorheostosis Assoc. Scientific and Medical Advisory Board and the Ingham Regional Medical Center Research Advisory Committee. She is a member of the American Diabetes Association and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

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