Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology

The research of faculty in the areas of Tissue/Organ Biology & Endocrinology addresses biology at the level of the organism, moving from the molecular biology of the individual cell to integrated tissues, organs and organisms, and asking how this biology impacts human disease. UCSF has a long history in the biological sciences that relate to this area of research that is reflected in current Organized Research Units including the Center for Reproductive Sciences, Diabetes Center, Hormone Research Institute, Metabolic Unit, Liver Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Lung Biology Center, and Gladstone Institutes.

Among the specific research topics pursued are the genetic basis of obesity, the role of extracellular matrix in regulating cell function, the biological basis of diabetes, reproductive biology, adrenal function, ion fluxes in skin and epithelium, and calcium homeostasis.

External Links:

Participating Faculty

Edward Hsiao, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology
Research Summary: 
Hormonal and genetic regulation of human skeletal disease
Mentorship Development: 

4/30/20    Mental Health in a Pandemic: Q&A for Faculty
2/16/21    Three Truths and Three Tries: Facing and Overcoming Critical Social Justice Challenges at the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels

Roshanak Irannejad, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Organelle-based signaling in cardiovascular biology

Robert Jaffe, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
None
Research Summary: 
Growth and Differentiated Function in Human Fetal Adrenal and Gonad

Meshell Johnson, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
None
Research Summary: 
Role of the alveolar epithelium in lung fluid balance
Mentorship Development: 

2/2021 - Three Truths & Three Tries: Facing & Overcoming Critical Social Justice Challenges at the Micro, Mezzo & Macro Levels

Michael Kattah, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
The Kattah Lab studies how intestinal epithelial cells contribute to IBD using mouse models, patient biopsies, and organoids. The ultimate goal is to develop precision treatments for patients.

Suneil Koliwad, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
The Intersection between Dietary Lipids, Inflammation, and Metabolic Disease

Gregory Ku, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Research Summary: 
Whole genome approaches to identify novel regulators of pancreatic beta cell function

Matthew Kutys, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
We develop and apply biomimetic human tissue models to dissect mechanisms of morphogenesis and mechanobiology as applied to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets for retinal degenerations

Mark Looney, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Mechanisms of lung inflammation and injury

Dengke Ma, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Research Summary: 
Genetic analysis of extreme physiology and stem cell biology

Jacquelyn Maher, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Research Summary: 
NAFLD disease modeling using patient-derived iPSCs

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