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Our primary focus is to understand the functions of the FERM-PTP group of proteins, which are suspected to play important roles in cancer-related processes such as tyrosine kinase signaling, cell adhesion, and cell movement. We use the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system. We have found that one of the FERM-PTPs, named Pez (after its human counterpart), is required for proper growth and development, and can regulate tyrosine kinase activity. We believe Pez acts as a scaffold molecule, assembling components of a signal transduction pathway at the cell cortex.