Seung K. Kim M.D., Ph.D.
Academic Appointments
- Professor, Developmental Biology
- Member, Child Health Research Institute
- Member, Bio-X
- Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
- Professor (By courtesy), Medicine - Oncology
Key Documents
Contact Information
- Academic Offices
Personal Information EmailAlternate Contact Susan Elliott Administrative Assistant Email Tel Work 650-498-7301
Professional Overview
Administrative Appointments
- Director, Stanford MSTP (2008 - present)
- Associate Director, Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program (2001 - 2008)
- Member, Medical Science Review Board, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (2002 - present)
Honors and Awards
- Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2008-present)
- Pew Biomedical Research Scholar, The Pew Charitable Trusts (1999-2003)
- Named Investigator Award, Stanford-NIH Digestive Diseases Center (2000)
- Career Development Award, American Diabetes Association (1999-2003)
- Faculty Scholar Award, Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation (1999-2001)
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Preclinical Teaching, Stanford University School of Medicine (2002)
Professional Education
| A.B.: | Harvard University, Biochemical Sciences (1985) |
| M.D.: | Stanford University, Medicine (1992) |
| Ph.D.: | Stanford University, Biochemistry (1992) |
Graduate & Fellowship Program Affiliations
Internet Links
Scientific Focus
Current Research Interests
Organ development requires mechanisms to establish an integrated, stereotyped tissue pattern from multiple distinct cellular components. Many vital organs derive from the endodermal and mesodermal germ layers to form the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, yet little is known about the genetic programs that coordinate steps culminating in proper organ morphogenesis and axial position, cell differentiation and physiologic function. Our goal is to identify and understand the pathways that govern organogenesis of the pancreas, a vital organ with endocrine and exocrine functions.
We are using Drosophila, chicks and mice, organisms accessible to embryological, genetic and molecular methods, to identify cell interactions and signaling pathways that regulate early steps in pancreatic islet development. Some of the pathways active during ontogeny also regulate pancreatic growth during adulthood, and we are studying the role of these genetic pathways in growth control and function of the mature pancreas in mice. Armed with an understanding of the mechanisms regulating normal development of insulin-producing cells and other islet cells, we have been able to differentiate functional glucose-responsive islets from embryonic stem cells and other cell lines. These are capable of rescuing glucose regulation and survival in experimental animal models of diabetes mellitus. We are now using this in vitro culture system to isolate candidate islet stem/precursor populations from adult human stem cell populations. We are also using Drosophila to study neuroendocrine cells that govern metabolism. We have discovered that two cell types, one which produces insulin, the other which produces a glucagon-like peptide called AKH, are crucial regulators of glucose homeostasis in Drosophila. Genetic, biochemical, and electrophysiologic studies are being used to elucidate the programs that control development and function of these cells, which comprise the Drosophila endocrine 'pancreas'. In turn, we expect that these studies will identify important conserved functions that govern islet cell biology.
Publications
- Neonatal β cell development in mice and humans is regulated by calcineurin/NFAT. Dev Cell. 2012; (1): 21-34
- PDGF signalling controls age-dependent proliferation in pancreatic β-cells. Nature. 2011; (7369): 349-55
- Specification of Drosophila corpora cardiaca neuroendocrine cells from mesoderm is regulated by Notch signaling. PLoS Genet. 2011; (8): e1002241
- Targeting SOX17 in human embryonic stem cells creates unique strategies for isolating and analyzing developing endoderm. Cell Stem Cell. 2011; (3): 335-46
- Calcineurin/NFAT signalling regulates pancreatic beta-cell growth and function. Nature. 2006; (7109): 345-9
- Conserved mechanisms of glucose sensing and regulation by Drosophila corpora cardiaca cells. Nature. 2004; (7006): 316-20
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