Anatomy and Cell Biology and Physiology

Lilian Plotkin, Ph.D. – Faculty Liaison
Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology
Tel: 317-274-5317
Email: lplotkin@iupui.edu
Office: MS5023

The goal of Dr. Plotkin’s research is to understand the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of intracellular signaling in bone cells. In particular, she focuses on the role of connexins as regulators of intracellular signaling activated by pharmacotherapeutic, hormonal and mechanical stimuli in cultured cells and in animal models utilizing in vitro techniques, including tissue culture, analysis of cell apoptosis, protein chemistry, and molecular biology. She has generated and characterized the bone phenotype of mice lacking Cx43 in osteoblasts and osteocytes. Using measurements of protein and mRNA levels in bone preparations by Western blotting/ELISA and qPCR, respectively, circulating markers of bone formation and resorption by ELISA, bone metabolism by dynamic and static histomorphometry, and biomechanical properties by femoral 3-point bending and vertebral compression, as well as ex vivo culture of bone and bone marrow cells. As a URM (Hispanic) investigator herself, she is well aware of the challenges other URM have in science. She served as a co-mentor to one of our previous IPREP Fellows, Cynthia Morales.