Lisa M Godsel

Lisa M Godsel, PhD, serves as a Research Associate Professor within the Department of Pathology (Research) and holds a secondary appointment in Dermatology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. Her primary research focus lies in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion, particularly the structure and function of desmosomes, and their critical roles in maintaining tissue integrity in the skin and heart, as well as in disease pathogenesis including skin disorders and cancer metastasis.

Dr. Godsel earned her PhD from Northwestern University in 1997. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the same institution: the first in Immunology/Cell Biology (2000) and the second in Cell Biology and Molecular Biology (2003), which provided the foundation for her current research program.

Her laboratory investigates the dynamics of desmosomal proteins, especially desmoplakin, during processes like desmosome formation, wound healing, and morphogenesis. Using advanced biochemical and live-cell imaging techniques, her team explores how mutations in desmosomal components lead to diseases such as cardiomyopathies and genetic skin fragility disorders. Current projects delve into the interplay between intermediate filaments and the desmosomal plaque, the role of retromer-mediated protein recycling in epidermal stratification, and the inflammatory consequences of cadherin deficiencies.

Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2023) reveals a strong emphasis on translational research connecting basic cell adhesion mechanisms to human skin diseases. Key themes include transcriptional profiling of rare blistering disorders, Th17-mediated inflammation in genetic skin conditions, and the molecular basis of acral peeling syndromes. Her work consistently bridges fundamental cell biology with clinical dermatology and pathology.

Dr. Godsel is an active member of Northwestern's research community, contributing to the Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-Based Center. These affiliations facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at understanding and treating complex skin diseases through innovative approaches in epigenetics and cell biology.