The cells in our body contain internal compartments, each of which performs functions that are essential for the viability of the cell and the health of the organism as a whole. The composition of these internal compartments, which are called organelles, depends upon the correct delivery of specific molecules (proteins and lipids) to them and the controlled movement of these molecules between the various organelles. This movement, referred to as membrane traffic, is also extremely important for the communication of cells with their environment, allowing the release of molecules from cells and the uptake of others into cells. exterior. Common examples of such molecules are hormones, neurotransmitters and the proteins that make up our skin and bones. Consequently, defects in membrane traffic cause many diseases in humans. Moreover, it is often exploited by pathogens to gain entry to our cells during infection. Work in the Lowe lab is aimed at identifying the cellular machinery that regulates membrane traffic, how it functions in healthy cells and how it goes awry in disease. A major goal of our work is to identify candidate molecules and pathways that are amenable to therapeutic intervention for the treatment of both human disease and pathogenic infection.