McCarty Laboratory
Joseph McCarty, Ph.D.
Professor and Principal investigator
- Departments, Labs and Institutes
- Labs
- McCarty Laboratory
Research Areas
- Brain Tumor
- Glioblastoma
The McCarty Laboratory studies how the neurovascular unit (NVU) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintain the specialized environment of the brain — and how these systems become disrupted in cancer. We investigate how endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, tumor cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) communicate to regulate vascular integrity, tissue organization and cellular behavior. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms that control the dynamic interactions between brain cells and blood vessels in health and disease.
A major focus of our research is glioblastoma (GBM), where tumor cells interact extensively with and remodel the NVU and its surrounding ECM. We use genetically engineered animal models, primary cell systems, human tumor specimens and spatial molecular profiling to define how ECM adhesion and signaling pathways regulate the glioma–vascular interface, BBB function, tumor invasion, vascular remodeling and therapeutic response. By understanding how gliomas co-opt normal mechanisms of neurovascular communication, we aim to identify new vulnerabilities within the tumor microenvironment and develop strategies to improve treatment of brain cancer.
Recent and Ongoing Projects
R01NS087635-08 (McCarty)
08/15/2014–06/30/2024
NIH/NINDS
Signal Transduction by αvβ8 Integrin
Role: Principal Investigator
R01NS116791-01A1 (McCarty)
12/01/2021–11/30/2026
NIH/NINDS
Analyzing PTPN12-Dependent Adhesion and Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma
Role: Principal Investigator
1R01NS122143-01A1 (McCarty)
12/01/2021–11/30/2026
NIH/NINDS
Analyzing the Endothelial Cell-Expressed Prion Gene Prnd in Vascular Development
Role: Principal Investigator
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Research Areas
Find out about the four types of research taking place at UT MD Anderson.