Research Interests:
Structure and function of lipoproteins; genetic determinants of arteriosclerosis
Summary:
The Kane laboratory focuses on the discovery of the native structures of lipoproteins ( proteins that carry cholesterol so that we can better understand how they are involved in the development of heart disease and stroke. We are also active in the discovery of alterations in genes that lead to heart disease and stroke.
Research Interests:
Receptor tyrosine kinases, kinase regulatory mechanisms, membrane proteins, feedback regulation of cell signaling
Summary:
We study basic mechanisms of cellular signaling by Receptor Tyrosine Kinases with a goal to understand how cells receive and process growth signals provided by the neighboring cells and the extracellular milieu. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases are single pass transmembrane receptors that catalyze tyrosine phosphorylation upon activation of their intracellular kinase domains. These receptors are principal regulators of growth and survival signals in cells and therefore frequently become deregulated in human diseases. We are interested in understanding how the kinase activity of these receptors is regulated by ligand binding and how the receptors associate with their regulatory components during the activation process. By combining biochemistry and cell biology we are studying these processes in the reconstituted membrane systems in vitro and in the plasma membrane of the living cells. We also use crystallography to gain an atomic resolution insight into Receptor Tyrosine Kinase regulation that will help us design new approaches for therapeutic intervention.
Research Interests:
Summary:
My group is interested in understanding how signals are received and transmitted by the nervous system. In one aspect of our research, we have exploited the power of natural products to elucidate molecular mechanisms of touch and pain sensation. For example, we have asked how capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in “hot” chili peppers, elicits burning pain, and how menthol, the cooling agent in mint leaves, evokes an icy cool sensation. Using these agents as pharmacological probes, we have identified ion channels on sensory nerve fibers that are activated by heat or cold, providing molecular insight into the process of thermosensation. With the aid of genetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods, we are asking how these ion channels contribute to the detection of heat or cold, and how their activity is modulated in response to tumor growth, infection, or other forms of injury that produce inflammation and pain hypersensitivity.
In addition to our work on somatosensation and pain, we also study the structure and function of specific neurotransmitter receptors, such as those activated by serotonin or extracellular nucleotides, and use genetic methods to identify roles for these receptors in physiological and behavioral processes, such as feeding, anxiety, pain, thrombosis, and cell growth and motility.
Research Interests:
Studies of potassium channels
Summary:
Ion channels such as potassium channels and calcium-activated chloride channels are important for the function of the heart, lung, and vasculature. Starting with molecular characterizations of the channel proteins, we try to understand how these channels work and how their activities are regulated under various physiological conditions
Research Interests:
Summary:
Our research is focused on development of endocrine and brain regions that contribute to energy balance and reproduction. We concentrate on NR5A nuclear hormone receptors that specify cell fate in developing endocrine organs and the hypothalamus using structural biology, biochemistry and physiology.
Research Interests:
Comparative study of heart development and regeneration, ischemic heart diseases, stem cell, cardiomyocyte proliferation, regenerative biology
Summary:
The ability to regenerate damaged or lost tissues varies dramatically across organisms and developmental stages. For example, heart regeneration is robust in adult zebrafish and newborn mouse while very limited in adult mouse and human. This presents a particular problem for patients with a heart attack who suffer from a significant loss of heart muscle cells and subsequent life-threatening functional deterioration of the heart.
By taking a comparative approach to study regenerative versus non-regenerative heart repair processes in zebrafish and mouse, we seek to uncover ancestrally conserved injury responses and more importantly, to identify the signals blocking regeneration in the mammalian heart and consequently new treatment strategies for heart diseases.
Research Interests:
Mechanisms of growth factor signaling in the control of cell growth and differentiation of vascular cells
Summary:
Research in the Hata lab focuses on the role of the BMP/TGF signaling pathway in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis, control of vascular injury repair, and pathogenesis of vascular diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), restenosis, and atherosclerosis. Our approach is to study gene mutations identified among patients with IPAH or HHT and elucidate how these gene products affect the signaling pathway as well as vascular physiology using both cell culture and animal models.
Research Interests:
Diastolic function of the left ventricle; Prevention of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
Summary:
Dr. William Grossman has been a pioneer in research on diastolic function of the left ventricle and is editor of the widely respected textbook, “Grossman’s Cardiac Catheterization, Angiography and Intervention,: which is used by cardiology trainees around the world. Grossman is the Charles and Helen Schwab Endowed Chair in Preventive Cardiology, and Director, Center for Prevention of Heart & Vascular Disease Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
Research Interests:
Transfusion related acute lung injury, acute respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, ventilator associated pneumonia, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, critical care outcomes
Summary:
My research interests are all focused on improving outcomes in critically ill patients in the ICU. These interests range from basic scientific questions regarding the mechanisms of harm from blood transfusions to asking about whether we efficiently utilize our precious resources, particularly at the end of life.
Research Interests:
Membrane channels and transporters, molecular simulation, continuum electrostatics and elasticity theory
Summary:
Our lab uses computational methods to understand biological phenomena. We are primarily interested in the mechanical operation of ion channels and transporters, which move ions and small molecules across membranes. Additionally, we use theoretical approaches to explore how these membrane proteins work together to regulate ion homeostasis in organelles such as the lysosome and Golgi. Lastly, we are developing methodologies for predicting the stability of membrane proteins to understand how mutations give rise to a loss of function, improper trafficking or degradation.
Research Interests:
Pulmonary physiology, exercise physiology, pulmonary vascular obstruction, early diagnosis, dyspnea, asthma, COPD, diffusing capacity.
Summary:
Research Interests:
Human endothelial biology, inflammation in cardiovascular diseases, statins, cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease in HIV, cardiovascular effects of smoking and second hand smoke, cardiovascular effects of air pollutants.
Summary:
Dr. Ganz’ research interests have focused on the role of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in cardiovascular disease in human subjects. In health, endothelium (the cell lining the inside of arteries), protects against diseases of blood vessels such as atherosclerosis (blockages in arteries). In the presence of damaging risk factors (for example, too much bad cholesterol, not enough good cholesterol, smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure), the endothelium becomes injured and promotes rather than retards cardiovascular disease. The same damaging risk factors also stimulate inflammation in the wall of human arteries. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction lead to heart attacks and deaths from heart disease; thus, Dr. Ganz is currently focused on finding treatments to reverse endothelial dysfunction and reduce inflammation and their harmful effects and thereby prevent cardiovascular disease in patients.