Laura Buttitta

Laura Buttitta is a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on understanding how cells exit the cell cycle to enter quiescence (G₀ phase), particularly in differentiated and stem cells, using Drosophila and mammalian models. She joined the department in 2011 after completing her PhD at Johns Hopkins University (2004) and postdoctoral work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center under Dr. Bruce Edgar.

Her lab investigates mechanisms controlling cell cycle arrest and reactivation during development and disease, with applications to cancer and tissue regeneration. Key areas include cell cycle regulation in quiescent states, chromatin remodeling during differentiation, and the role of miRNAs like miR-8 in cell survival and epithelial organization.

Current research emphasizes the molecular pathways linking cell cycle exit to cellular functions, including how quiescent states vary in reversibility. Her work bridges developmental biology and oncology, with findings published in top-tier journals and supported by grants from NIH and other agencies.

Contact: buttitta@umich.edu, Office: 5218 Biological Sciences Building