Patrick Brennwald

Patrick Brennwald, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Cell Biology & Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine. His research focuses on mechanisms of polarized membrane trafficking, particularly the roles of Rho GTPases, SNARE proteins, and the exocyst complex in coordinating cell polarity and protein delivery. He holds affiliations with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, integrating his findings into cancer research contexts.

Education:

• B.A., Carleton College, 1985
• Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1990
• Postdoctoral Training, Yale University, 1990-1994

Research Interests: Dr. Brennwald's lab investigates how cells spatially regulate exocytosis through the interplay of Rho GTPases (Cdc42/Rho3), SNARE proteins, and the exocyst complex. Key studies include:

• Mechanisms of exocyst activation and conformational changes
• Role of tSNARE1 in neuronal endosomal trafficking linked to schizophrenia
• Conservation of polarity pathways from yeast to mammalian systems
• Cryo-EM structural analysis of protein complexes

Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes structural biology advances using lipid-monolayer affinity grids for cryo-EM, cross-institutional trainee development programs, and expanding understanding of exocyst regulation in neurological contexts. Over 30 years of continuous NIH funding supports these investigations.

Education Initiatives: Dr. Brennwald leads innovative programs like the career cohort model and internship frameworks to enhance trainee career outcomes in biomedical sciences. These programs emphasize transferable skills and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Brennwald Lab within the UNC Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, collaborating closely with the Lineberger Cancer Center on polarity pathways relevant to tumor progression.