Research Programs
Research Interests
Research interests in the department include:
Our research programs are funded by many sources, including:
- The National Institutes of Health
- The National Science Foundation
- The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Several other private agencies
The Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy is based in Tupper Hall on the Davis campus, but our members have laboratories in Davis and on the Sacramento campus. Visit our resources and facilities page for more information on research laboratories and facilities.
Stem Cell Biology
Several researchers in the Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy study stem cells. Studies include:
- The development of stem cell therapies (Alice Tarantal, Jan Nolta)
- The function of myc in stem cell behavior (Paul Knoepfler)
Developmental and Reproductive Biology
A number of scientists study developmental and reproductive biology. Projects include:
- Molecular mechanisms of neural development (Qizhi Gong, Sergi Simó)
- Molecular mechanisms underling sperm-egg interactions
- Implantation and placentation (Tom Blankenship)
- The roles of cell-matrix interactions during vertebrate development (Richard Tucker)
- Ontogeny of the kidney including organoids and tissue engineering
Cell Biology
Cell biology research includes:
- Studies of Golgi-localized spectrins (Ken Beck)
- The intermediate filaments of the lens (Paul FitzGerald and John Hess)
- Cell fate specification in the developing neocortex (Sergi Simó)
Neurobiology
Neurobiology research includes:
- The development of the olfactory system (Qizhi Gong)
- The development of the visual system and the neural crest (Richard Tucker)
- The development of neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (Jan Nolta)
- Study of neuron migrations in the developing nervous system (Sergi Simó)
- Retinal physiology (Marie Burns and Edward Pugh, Jr.)
- Neuroimmunolgy (Marie Burns)
Vision Science
Vision Science research includes:
- Control of cell fate decisions (Nadean Brown)
- Genetic basis and mechanisms of retinal diseases (Tom Glaser)
- Photoreceptor signal transduction (Marie Burns, Edward Pugh, Jr.)
- Intermediate filaments and protein aggregation diseases (Paul FitzGerald)
- Retinal degeneration (Marie Burns)