Dr. Michael Ostap

Biography

Michael Ostap is a Professor in the Department of Physiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Illinois State University (1988) and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics from the University of Minnesota (1993). His research focuses on the cellular machinery responsible for powering cell movements and shaping the architecture of cells, tissues, and organs. The laboratory conducts discovery-based research into the role of the cytoskeleton, molecular motors, and signaling pathways in cell migration, muscle contraction, and the transportation of internal cell compartments. The focus of the current research includes cytoskeletal motors such as myosin, dynein, and kinesin, understanding how these nano-machines generate mechanical force and interact with signaling networks at the molecular level. The work is essential for advancing knowledge in both normal physiological processes and pathological states, including cardiomyopathies and tumor metastasis.

Research Interests