Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Understanding Cell Signaling and Behavior
The Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology explores how cells communicate, interact and enable complex physiological function. Our labs take an interdisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on quantitative and structural approaches drawn from multiple scientific disciplines, including structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, immunology and neuroscience. By uncovering molecular and cellular processes, MCP scientists have established new paradigms in the biology of signaling and communication, such as the relationship between the structure and function of GPCRs, and the presynaptic molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal communication. We have more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows working in our 14 faculty labs.
Research News & Notable Events
Come celebrate the appointment of Chris Garcia, PhD, as the inaugural Younger Family Professor
With an inspiring body of breakthroughs in cell signaling and protein engineering, Chris Garcia has had a remarkable career of turning the basic understanding of how cells communicate into new possibilities for treating cancer and other diseases. Join us to hear his story.
Hosted by Lloyd B. Minor, MD
Carl and Elizabth Naumann Dean of the School of Medicine
4:00 p.m. | Lecture
5:00 p.m. | Reception
Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge
Paul and Mildred Berg Hall | Second Floor
291 Campus Drive | Stanford SoM – IRT
Please register by Friday, March 23 at chairs.stanford.edu. To learn more, contact Megan O’Connor at 650.736.6687 or megan.oconnor@stanford.edu.
Jackson Liang Receives Weintraub Graduate Student Award
Recent MCP graduate Jackson Liang (O'Brien Lab) has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award. One of 13 national winners chosen for outstanding research achievement, Dr. Liang uncovered a new feedback mechanism that ensures homeostatic control of stem cell divisions during turnover of epithelial organs. Dr. Liang will present his work at a scientific symposium in honor of the late Hal Weintraub at Seattle's Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center in May.
Physics Professor Steven Chu selected as AAAS president-elect
Steven Chu, a professor of physics at Stanford University and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, has been chosen as the president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), an international nonprofit organization with a mission to “advance science, engineering and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people.”
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Reducing side effects of a cancer therapy
Stanford scientists created an odd couple: a modified version of an immune-signaling protein and a coordinately modified receptor for this protein. The two bind only to each other, easing an advanced anti-cancer therapy’s side effects.
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Schneider on disease and data sculptures
Many infectious diseases, including malaria, are marked by cyclical ups and downs. David Schneider takes a creative approach to making sense of those ups and downs.
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Screen could reveal immunotherapy targets
Stanford scientists have developed a biochemical screen that identifies molecules critical to immunotherapy for a host of diseases, including cancer.
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Faculty members appointed to endowed professorships
Daniel Chang, Howard Chang, Christopher Garcia, Amy Ladd, William Maloney, Geoffrey Tabin and Jerome Yesavage have been appointed to endowed professorships at the School of Medicine.
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Alvarez receives 2017 Marsh O’Neill Award
Mike Alvarez, the animal care supervisor in the Veterinary Service Center, received the 2017 Marsh O’Neill award. The award is one of the few opportunities for faculty to acknowledge publicly the support of outstanding staff members who support their research activity.
MCP Faculty
