autocrine.com is an independent educational website about autocrine signaling: the process in which a cell secretes a signaling molecule (a ligand) that binds receptors on the same cell and changes its behaviour. Autocrine loops help control cell growth, differentiation and immune responses, and their misregulation is a recurring theme in cancer biology.
What you will find here
- Two in-depth guides: Autocrine Signaling and Growth Factor Families.
- Articles on signaling modes, receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokines and the IL-2 loop, the MAPK/ERK pathway, stem cells, cancer and research methods.
- A glossary of cell-signaling terms and a short FAQ.
- Free browser-based study tools, including a pathway explorer and simple calculators, plus a list of reliable external databases.
Who it is for
The site is written for students of cell biology, physiology, immunology and biomedical science, for educators, and for anyone who wants a clear explanation of how cells signal to themselves. It can serve as an orientation for researchers but does not replace textbooks or the primary literature.
What this site is not
autocrine.com is not a laboratory, research institute, journal, clinic or company. It does not offer consulting, research services, data access or medical advice, and its articles are not peer reviewed. Articles summarise published scientific literature and, where possible, name key references so readers can check the original sources.
Corrections and feedback
If you spot an error or would like a topic covered, please use the contact form.
How the site is funded
The site is free to read and is supported by advertising served by Google AdSense. Advertisers have no influence over the content.