معرفی
Thomas Kelley, PhD is Professor in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he also serves as Director of the Epithelial Cell Core. His research spans cystic fibrosis pathophysiology, inflammatory signaling mechanisms, microtubule regulation, and MIRAGE syndrome.
Dr. Kelley received his B.A. from the College of Wooster (1988) and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame (1993), followed by postdoctoral training at CWRU in Mitchell Drumm's laboratory. His academic appointments reflect dual expertise in genetics and pharmacology, positioning him at the intersection of basic science and therapeutic development.
His laboratory investigates four primary research thrusts: (1) The mechanistic link between CFTR dysfunction and altered cell signaling, identifying key changes including increased RhoA signaling, reduced IFN-γ/STAT1 activation, and impaired cholesterol processing; (2) Therapeutic targets for CF including HDAC6 inhibitors and statins that reverse CF phenotypes in mouse models; (3) Membrane cholesterol as a biomarker for CFTR function in collaboration with James Burgess; and (4) Cellular mechanisms of MIRAGE syndrome related to SAMD9 mutations and intracellular transport. Recent work demonstrates how microtubule stability impacts intracellular transport in CF, with HDAC6 inhibition showing therapeutic promise.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals evolving research directions integrating AI-assisted immune analysis, novel bronchoscopic delivery methods, and exploration of CF's neurological dimensions. His work maintains strong translational focus, connecting molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications while expanding into circadian biology and neurodegenerative aspects of CF.
Dr. Kelley's laboratory maintains extensive collaborations across CWRU, particularly with Mitchell Drumm, James Burgess, Charles Cotton, and Robert Darrah. His Epithelial Cell Core provides critical resources for researchers studying epithelial function across multiple organ systems. Current grant funding supports investigations into HDAC6 modulation, cholesterol biomarkers, and MIRAGE syndrome pathophysiology, with emphasis on identifying novel therapeutic targets for cystic fibrosis and related conditions.
