Edward Draper

Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology

Research Overview

My research focuses on how Saccharomyces cerevisiae detects and responds to extracellular signals, particularly during mating. Yeast use G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to sense pheromone gradients, triggering a cascade of cellular changes, including gene expression, cytoskeletal remodeling and polarized growth.

We investigate how cells interpret shallow pheromone gradients to orient accurately toward a mating partner. Our work highlights the role of positive feedback loops in amplifying small differences in receptor activation, establishing receptor polarity and linking signaling to the actin and microtubule networks. These mechanisms enable cells to track dynamic gradients and coordinate directional growth.