Nancy Ratner, Ph.D.

Dr. Ratner has made important contributions toward understanding neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in nerve tissue. She now aims to find new signaling targets for the gene mutated in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), focusing on a group of proteins called Ras proteins. She will also look for mutations in the Ras signaling pathway that may interact with NF1 mutations. These studies may suggest new therapeutic strategies for neurofibromatosis.