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

Dean Sheppard, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Functional roles of diverse fibroblast subsets in pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Cell-based therapeutics for non-malignant lung diseases.
Mentorship Development: 

12/19/19 ACRA: Setting training expectations for trainees on the academic career track

Jeoung-Sook Shin, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
We are interested in understanding the roles of dendritic cells in health and disease, and the specific mechanisms by which the roles are played.
Mentorship Development: 

11/22/19    Equity and Inclusion in the Lab (2 hours)
12/19/19    ACRA: Setting Training Expectations for Trainees on the Academic Career Track (1.5 hours)
5/26/20    Effective Strategies for IDPs for Partial Resumption of Lab Research
11/10/20    Optimizing the Efficiency of Your Lab
12/1/20    Setting Expectations with a "Welcome to the Lab' Letter (Part 1)

Julie Sneddon, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Pancreas development, disease, and regeneration
Mentorship Development: 

12/19/19    ACRA: Setting Training Expectations for Trainees on the Academic Career Track (1.5 hours)
3/3/20    Promoting Student Mental Health:A Presentation and Discussion (Staff and Faculty)
3/3/20    Promoting Student Mental Health: Faculty Workshop (Faculty only)
6/10/20    Tools and Tips for Virtual Learning
11/10/20    Optimizing the Efficiency of Your Lab
5/25/21  Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS) 

Qizhi Tang, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Cellular therapies for type 1 diabetes and transplantation
Mentorship Development: 

5/2021 - Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS)

Thea Tlsty, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Regulation of Genomic Instability in Mammalian Cells
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

Christian Vaisse, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Genetics of Metabolic Diseases

Thiennu Vu, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
The regulation of lung vascularization and development

Bruce Wang, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
We study how the different cell types in the liver, in particular the hepatocyte, are generated during development, patterned and maintained during adulthood, and regenerate after injury.

Biao Wang, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
Regulatory mechanisms of adipose tissue development and function

Torsten Wittmann, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Microtubule control of cell dynamics

Prescott Woodruff, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
Genomics of Obstructive Lung Diseases

Allison Xu, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Research Summary: 
Neuronal regulation of energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism

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