Keith Burridge

Keith Burridge is a cell biologist recognized for his research on cell adhesion, the extracellular matrix, and intracellular signaling. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how cells interact with their environment and how these interactions influence cell behavior, including cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation.

Burridge received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He then held positions at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he became a distinguished professor.

His research has focused primarily on focal adhesions, which are large protein complexes that link the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. He has identified and characterized many of the key proteins found in focal adhesions and has elucidated their roles in signal transduction pathways. His work has shown how integrin-mediated adhesion to the extracellular matrix can activate various signaling pathways, including those involving Rho GTPases and protein kinases, which in turn regulate gene expression and other cellular processes.

Burridge's research has had a significant impact on our understanding of cell biology and has implications for a variety of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and wound healing. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science.