Michael Petris, PhD

The long-term objectives of the Petris laboratory are to elucidate the roles of the essential nutrient copper in physiological and pathophysiological processes.  In humans, this trace metal is required for oxidative respiration, neurotransmitter synthesis, pigmentation, antioxidant defense, connective tissue formation and iron metabolism. Mutations that affect pathways of copper trafficking are known to cause several different human diseases. The Petris lab studies the role of copper in extracellular matrix modification involved in cancer cell metastasis, fibrosis and scar formation.  His lab also studies the role of copper at the host pathogen interface during microbial infection.