David Stone

David Stone is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research focuses on understanding signal transduction mechanisms and cellular polarization in yeast, particularly using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. His work examines how cells navigate chemical gradients and coordinate cellular responses such as cell cycle control, gene expression, and cytoskeletal reorganization during mating.

Education: PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a BA from Wesleyan University.

Research Interests: Investigating the role of G protein-coupled receptors, heterotrimeric G proteins, and feedback loops in amplifying pheromone signaling gradients. His lab studies how shallow pheromone gradients are interpreted to drive directional growth and how these systems integrate signaling with cytoskeletal dynamics (actin/microtubules). Recent work emphasizes the role of phosphorylated Gβ in directional sensing and the molecular mechanisms underlying gradient tracking.

Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2002, including studies on receptor polarization, G protein networks, and proteomic analyses of signaling pathways. Recent work (2021-2023) highlights discoveries about claudin superfamily proteins and vesicle delivery mechanisms in yeast chemotropism.

Awards: No specific awards listed, though his work has been continuously funded through grants supporting yeast signaling research.

Labs/Teams: Leads a research team at UIC focused on eukaryotic cell signaling, employing genetic, proteomic, and live-cell imaging techniques. Collaborates with institutions such as the University of Toronto and Princeton University on yeast signaling projects.