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.

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Participating Faculty

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: 

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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

Kevin Yackle, PhD, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
We seek to identify the key neuron(s) within pace breathing and to determine how they are innately and volitionally “turned on” or “off” to speed up or stop breathing.

Wendy Yue, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Research Summary: 
We study signaling between neural tissues and bodily fluids, with a focus on specialized interfaces near brain ventricles to uncover their roles in health, disease, and therapeutic applications.

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