Department: Molecular & Cellular Physiology

• Faculty (21)
• Postdocs (35)
• All

B

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  Brunger, Axel 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Professor (By courtesy), Structural Biology
  • Professor, Stanford Linear Accelerator Ctr - SSRL
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
  Research Interest

  Axel Brunger's goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of synaptic neurotransmission. He is particularly interested in the structure, function, and dynamics of key players in the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery. His lab is also working on the mechanism of action of clostridial neurotoxins that target this machinery. A molecular understanding of these complex protein machineries may ultimately lead to new therapeutics to treat human diseases.

F

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  Fuhrman, Frederick A
  Academic Appointments

  • Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council, Molecular & Cellular Physiology

G

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  Garcia, Chris 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Professor, Structural Biology
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Member, Cancer Center
  Research Interest

  Structural and functional studies of transmembrane receptor interactions with their ligands in systems relevant to human health and disease - primarily in immunity, infection, and neurobiology. We study these problems using protein engineering, structural, biochemical, and combinatorial biology approaches.

• 
  Goodman, Miriam 
  Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  Research Interest

  We study the molecular events that give rise to the sensation of touch and temperature in C. elegans. To do this, we use a combination of quantitative behavioral analysis, genetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and heterologous expression of ion channels. We also collaborate with Pruitt's group in Mechanical Engineering to develop and fabricate novel devices for the study of sensory transduction.

H

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  Heller, Stefan 
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
  • Associate Professor (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  Research Interest

  Most types of congenital and acquired hearing loss arise from damage to, or loss of hair cells, the sensory cells of the inner ear. Our recent work has focused on generating inner ear cell types from stem cells and we are interested in signaling pathways that control hair cell and auditory neuron (re-)generation in vitro and in vivo. In a second line of research, we are working on the identification and the molceular characterization of proteins that are important for hair cell function.

• 
  Huguenard, John 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
  • Professor (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  Research Interest

  We are interested in the neuronal mechanisms that underlie synchronous oscillatory activity in the thalamus, cortex and the massively interconnected thalamocortical system. Such oscillations are related to cognitive processes, normal sleep activities and certain forms of epilepsy. Our approach is an analysis of the discrete components (cells, synapses, microcircuits) that make up thalamic and cortical circuits, and reconstitution of components into in silico computational networks.

K

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  Kobilka, Brian 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Professor, Medicine
  • Member, Bio-X
  Research Interest

  Structure, function and physiology of adrenergic receptors.

L

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  Lewis, Richard 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  Research Interest

  We study molecular mechanisms of calcium signaling with a focus on store-operated CRAC channels and their essential roles in T cell development and function. Currently we aim to define the molecular mechanism for CRAC channel activation and the means by which calcium signal dynamics mediate specific activation of transcription factors and T-cell genes during development.

• 
  Lowe, Anson 
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Medicine - Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Associate Professor (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Cancer Center
  Clinical Focus

  • Gastroenterology
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Pancreatic Diseases
  Research Interest

  Pancreatic and esophageal cancers are common and deadly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Our laboratory is currently focused on the identification and characterization of candidate genes important in tumor growth. Such genes will also serve as potential therapeutic targets. An additional focus of the laboratory is the development of diagnostic assays for the early detection of pancreatic and esophageal disease.

M

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  Madison, Vernon 
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  Research Interest

  Our laboratory uses electrophysiological techniques to study the mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity in the mammalian hippocampus. One of the main focuses in the lab is in the study of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP is the persistent increase in synaptic strength that occurs after a period of heavy activity in a synaptic connection. It is the most widely studied and compelling model for mechanisms underlying memory formation in the mammalian central nervous system.

• 
  Maduke, Merritt 
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  Research Interest

  Molecular mechanisms of chloride channels & transporters studied by integration of structural and electrophysiological methods.

• 
  McConnell, Michael 
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor - Med Center Line, Medicine - Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Associate Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Associate Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Electrical Engineering
  • Member, Bio-X
  Clinical Focus

  • Cardiovascular Disease
  Research Interest

  Imaging cardiovascular disease, with a focus on coronary and vascular atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Projects include cellular and structural characterization of atherosclerotic plaque by MRI, optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence) of vascular inflammation, as well as noninvasive coronary angiography by MRI and MRI- guided cardiovascular interventions. Additional collaborative projects include real-time cardiac MRI and multi-modality imaging of cardiac stem cell trans..

N

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  Nachury, Maxence V
  Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  Research Interest

  We study the primary cilium, a once-obscure cellular organelle recently "re-discovered" for its role in a number of signaling pathways. Defects in cilium biogenesis lead to a variety of hereditary disorders characterized by retinal degeneration, kidney cysts and obesity. Our goal is to characterize these disorders at the molecular and cellular levels to gain insight into the basic mechanisms of primary cilium biogenesis and to discover novel ciliary signaling pathways.

• 
  Nelson, W James 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Biology (School of Humanities and Sciences)
  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Member, Cancer Center
  Research Interest

  Our research objectives are to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity. Polarized epithelial cells play fundamental roles in the ontogeny and function of a variety of tissues and organs.

R

• 
  Reimer, Richard 
  Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
  • Assistant Professor (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  Clinical Focus

  • Neurology
  Research Interest

  Reimer Lab interests A primary interest of our lab is to understand how nerve cells make and recycle neurotransmitters, the small molecules that they use to communicate with each other. In better defining these processes we hope to achieve our long-term goal of identifying novel sites for treatment of diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson Disease. In our studies on neurotransmitter metabolism we have focused our efforts on transporters, a functional class of proteins that move neurotransmi..

• 
  Ricci, Anthony J
  Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
  • Associate Professor (By courtesy), Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  Research Interest

  The auditory sensory cell, the hair cell, detects mechanical stimulation at the atomic level and conveys information regarding frequency and intensity to the brain with high fidelity. Our interests are in identifying specializations associated with mechanotransduction and synaptic transmission leading to the amazing sensitivities of the auditory system. We are also interested in the developmental process, particularly in how development gives insight into repair and regenerative mechanisms.

S

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  Smith, Stephen 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Member, Cancer Center
  Research Interest

  Research in the Smith Laboratory addresses brain development and function. Special interests include dynamic and structural aspects of synaptogenesis, cell-cell adhesion and synaptic plasticity. The experimental approach uses sophisticated optical imaging techniques to study live neural cells in cultures, tissues and intact organisms.

• 
  Stilwell, Donald L
  Academic Appointments

  • Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
• 
  Sudhof, Thomas 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Professor (By courtesy), Neurology & Neurological Sciences
  • Professor (By courtesy), Psychiatry & Behavioral Science
  Research Interest

  Information transfer at synapses mediates information processing in brain, and is impaired in many brain diseases. Thomas Südhof is interested in how synapses are formed, how presynaptic terminals release neurotransmitters at synapses, and how synapses become dysfunctional in diseases such as autism or Alzheimer's disease. To address these questions, Südhof's laboratory employs approaches ranging from biophysical studies to the electrophysiological and behavioral analyses of mutant mice.

T

• 
  Tsien, Richard 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  Research Interest

  We study synaptic communication between brain cells with the goal of understanding neuronal computations and memory mechanisms. Main areas of focus include: presynaptic calcium channels, mechanisms of vesicular fusion and recycling. Modulation of synaptic strength through changes in postsynaptic receptors and dendritic morphology. Signaling that links synaptic activity to nuclear transcription and local protein translation. Techniques include imaging, electrophysiology, molecular biology.

W

• 
  Weis, William 
  Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Structural Biology
  • Professor, Molecular & Cellular Physiology
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Member, Cancer Center
  Research Interest

  Our laboratory studies molecular interactions that underlie the establishment and maintenance of cell and tissue structure. Our specific areas of interest are the targeted delivery of proteins to intracellular membranes, the architecture and dynamics of intercellular adhesion junctions, and signaling pathways that govern cell fate determination. We also have a long-standing interest in carbohydrate-based cellular recognition and adhesion.