Biochemistry and Cellular Biology

Biochemistry and Cellular Biology

Julie Bossuyt, DVM, PhD

Chair MCIP Graduate Group
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine

(See also: Cardiovascular Biology)

The lab studies the molecular mechanisms that drive activation and function of the related kinases, protein kinase D (PKD) and calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) in healthy and failing hearts. We focus on understanding the local regulatory mechanisms that control the myriad cellular outcomes for these multifunctional kinases. Hereto we apply cutting-edge high resolution fluorescence imaging techniques (such as FRET, TIRF, FRAP and confocal) and novel biosensors to obtain unique insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics of the local Ca-CaM, CaMKII and PKD signals.

Potential summer research projects:

1. PKD regulation of actin dynamics in cardiac myocytes
2. Role of  PKD in cardiac stress during pregnancy

Contact : jbossuyt@ucdavis.edu

Faculty Bio

Ching-Hsien (Jean) Chen, PhD

SOM: Nephrology/Internal Medicine 

(See also: Biochemistry/Cellular Biology, Pulmonary Medicine, Oncology)

Dr. Chen’s research strives to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer malignancy and thereby identify useful biomarkers and/or druggable targets. She seeks to develop peptide-based therapeutics to mitigate cancer metastasis and drug resistance by targeting aberrant oncogenic signaling. Research in her laboratory focuses on how the phospholipids such as PIP2 and PIP3 are regulated during the development of malignancies and inflammatory diseases.

As a STAR Program mentor, I offer projects focused on mechanism-based target identification and drug discovery in smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Students will investigate disease mechanisms and metabolic dysregulation using techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, scRNA sequencing, qPCR, and Western blotting. They will characterize the immune microenvironment in cancer and fibrosis using flow cytometry, immunofluorescent staining, and multiplex cytokine assays on tissues from animal models. Additional projects include ex vivo drug screening on patient-derived precision-cut tissue slices and metabolic profiling with mass spectrometry and Seahorse XF Analyzers. Students will gain hands-on experience in molecular biology, immune profiling, cell and tissue culture, and data analysis, contributing to impactful translational research.

Dr. Chen can be reached via email. 

Gino Cortopassi

VM: Dept. of Molecular Biosciences (See also: Neurobiology)

Mitochondrial disease results from inherited defects in mitochondrial genes or exposure to mitochondrial toxins. We investigate pathomechanism, including mitochondrial defect ->neuroinflamation->neurodegeneration. We screen for protective molecules for mitochondrial disease.  We are interested in canine distemper and its relationship to human multiple sclerosis.

Please visit Dr. Cortopassi's website for more information.

Bethany Cummings, DVM, PhD

(See also: Endocrinology/Metabolism, GI Physiology/Gastroenterology)

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine and in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine. My lab conducts studies in cells, rodent models and human samples to understand the molecular basis of diabetes, with a focus on bile acid metabolism by the gut microbiome and pancreatic islet biology. Specifically, we have ongoing projects focused on understanding how GLP-1R agonists improve blood glucose regulation and the dietary regulation of gut microbial bile acid metabolism. These projects involve training in the use of genetically modified mouse models, cell culture, gene and protein expression.

Please contact Dr. Cummings at bpcummings@ucdavis.edu  

Faculty Bio

Elva Diaz, PhD

Med: Pharmacology (see also: genetics/genomics, neuroscience and pharmacology/toxicology)

Dr. Diaz is trained in molecular and cellular biochemistry and functional genomic approaches to understanding nervous system development. The two main areas of interest are neural proliferation and synaptic differentiation in rodent model systems. The Diaz lab uses genomic approaches such as DNA microarrays to identify genes differentially regulated in nervous system development. Individual candidates genes are studied with molecular and cellular techniques including primary neuronal culture, immunocytochemistry, electrophysiology, and transgenic mouse models. Potential projects include: 1) understanding the role of transcription factors during neural proliferation in the cerebellum and potential implications for diseases such as brain tumors; 2) dissecting the role of a novel family of transmembrane proteins in synapse development and potential implications for neurological diseases such as mental retardation and schizophrenia.

Please visit Dr. Diaz's website for more information. Email at ediaz@ucdavis.edu.

Pascal Gagneux, Ph.D.

Affiliated with UC Veterinary Medical Center – San Diego

(See also: Reproductive Biology)

Dr. Gagneux is interested in primate molecular diversity. His lab investigates the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for the generation and maintenance of primate diversity, its potential roles in protecting populations from pathogens as well as potential consequences for reproductive compatibility. He is currently studying cell-surface molecules of sperm cells in closely related primate species. His focus is on glycans, the oligosaccharides attached to glycolipids and glycoproteins of the cell surface. The numerous parallels between the surface molecules of successful pathogens and those found on the surface of mammalian sperm, invite the analogy between internal fertilization and “extremely successful infection”. These interests examine the differences in sperm surface molecules  and sexual selection (via sperm competition and cryptic female choice) and whether such differences might contribute to reproductive incompatibility and speciation due to female immune rejection of sperm with incompatible glycoconjugates. Dr. Gagneux has studied the behavioral ecology of wild chimpanzees in the Taï Forest, Ivory Coast, population genetics of West African chimpanzees, and differences in sialic acid biology between humans and great apes with special consideration of their differing pathogen regimes. His great concern is that the current surge in interest for comparative genomics is not being translated into direct support for the conservation of primates in their endangered natural habitats.

Please contact Peter Ernst pernst@ucsd.edu or Christina Sigurdson csigurdson@ucsd.edu first for more information.

Faculty Bio

Cecilia Giulivi, PhD

VM: Molecular Biosciences

(See also: Translational Research/Regenerative Medicine, Metabolism)

My main research interest is to understand the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction that contribute to the morbidity or start of neurodegeneration or neurodevelopmental deficits. As an extension of this work, and as aging is one of the main contributors to neurodegeneration, and life expectancy of pets is increasing worldwide, we realized that data on vitamins and antioxidant status of cats as they age are limited. This gap of knowledge undermines the resources needed by pet owners and clinicians to make informed decisions on (for instance) dietary supplements. 

Projects for summer research students include: Healthy aging in cats; disparity between chronological and biological age in cats. Combined omics, bioinformatics, identification of key biologiacl pathways influencing the disparity between chronological and biological age.

Dr. Giulivi can be reached via email.

Faculty Bio

Bruce Hammock

(See also: Pharmacology/Toxicology, Neurology/Neurobiology)

Dr. Hammock’s laboratory has a long collaboration with faculty and students in the school of veterinary medicine.  His laboratory develops mass spectral and biosensor analytical methods for environmental contaminants and drugs in companion animals.  The laboratory is working on a new branch of the arachidonic acid cascade and is developing drugs to block arthritic and laminitic inflammation in horses and inflammatory and post surgical pain in dogs and cats associated with injury, diabetes, age and other criteria.

Potential projects:

Use of inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase to potential treat disease in companion animals such as dogs and cats as well as horses and livestock species.

Pharmacokinetic analysis in development of novel pharmaceuticals for veterinary use.

Fundamental mechanism of action of regulatory lipids.

Natural food additives to expand the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acid supplements in food of companion animal and livestock species.

Development of CNS acting drugs to treat disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and depression.

The Hammock Lab is moving a drug developed at UC Davis to treat inflammatory disease through human clinical trials. It is also useful for animal health diseases by reducing inflammation. The research for this project is both applied and basic. 

See   http://www.biopestlab.ucdavis.edu/ for additional information.

Matthias Hess, PhD

Department of Animal Science  (See also: Microbiology/Parasitology)

I am a microbiologist with a strong background in biotechnology. My research centers on the multi-scale (from molecule to cell to population to ecosystem) understanding of microbial systems through cultivation-independent as well as cultivation-based techniques. One of the ecosystems my group has been focusing on over the last years is the gut microbiome of ruminants and we have established an artificial rumen system in the laboratory to address questions related to gut and animal health and performance. More recently we have been expanding our work into other animal systems such as fish, pigs and poultry.  

For more information visit Dr. Hess’ website at www.HessLab.com

Pamela Lein

Neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, neurotoxicology, seizures, asthma

VM: Molecular Biosciences (See also: Pharmacology/Toxicology, Neurology)

The overarching goal in the Lein laboratory is to determine how environmental stressors interact with genetic susceptibilities to influence the risk and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, seizures and airway hyperreactivity. Altered patterns of connectivity are associated with functional deficits in the central and peripheral nervous systems; therefore, we are investigating how environmental contaminants, chemical convulsants and inflammation perturb neuronal connectivity as determined using biochemical, morphogenic, functional and electrophysiological endpoints. We are also developing biomarkers of OP neurotoxicity and testing novel therapeutic approaches for protecting against the neurodegenerative effects associated with chemical convulsants.

If interested, please contact Dr. Pamela Lein at pjlein@ucdavis.edu

Visit our website: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/lein-lab/

Mike Mienaltowski, DVM, Ph.D.

Tendon repair, stem/progenitor cell biology

College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (See also: Orthopaedics/Biomechanical Engineering, Genetics/Genomics and Translational Research)

My primary research interests include:

(1) the development, maturation, and repair of musculoskeletal connective tissues like tendon and ligament

(2) cellular mechanisms behind broiler muscle pathology

(3) the roles of the microbiome in proper gut transition in foals from birth to weaning.

In my musculoskeletal research projects, I am particularly interested in how differences in niche affect cells within the environment in growth and repair. Moreover, I am interested in the physiology of usage and elite performance as well as pathophysiology from over-usage, acute and chronic injury for all musculoskeletal tissues on all species as they might be related to use, environment, or genetics, and as they might be related to the manipulation of niche and collagen regulation genes. Furthermore, because the proper development of the musculoskeletal system  depends greatly upon proper foal growth and foal growth subsequently depends upon appropriate nutrition, I am interested in understanding how gut microbes facilitate healthy gut transitions in the foal. More information can be found at: http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/faculty/mienaltowski/index.html

Contact information for Dr. Mienaltowski:  e-mail: mjmienaltowski@ucdavis.edu

Crystal Rogers, PhD

VM: Anatomy, Physiology & Cellular Biology

Our lab studies how animals develop from single cells to complex adult organisms. Current projects in our lab focus on 1) transcriptional control of neural crest cell formation and migration (using chicken or axolotl embryos to understand the molecular underpinnings of development), 2) evolutionary conservation of development (using comparative work with quail, chicken, and axolotl embryos), and 3) how environmental exposures can alter development (using chicken or axolotl models).

Dr. Rogers can be reached via email.

Faculty Bio

Aijun Wang, PhD

UC Davis Medical Center, Department of Surgery (see also: Translational Research, Orthopedics, Surgery)

Dr. Aijun Wang is a Chancellor's Fellow Professor of Surgery and of Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He is the Vice Chair for Translational Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Department of Surgery, Co-founder and Co-Director of the Center for Surgical Bioengineering (CSB), formerly known as Surgical Bioengineering Laboratory, and Dean's Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the UC Davis School of Medicine. He is also a Principal Investigator at the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM) / Shriners Children's Pediatric Research Center, Northern California. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on developing tools, technologies and products that combine molecular, cellular, tissue and biomaterial engineering to promote regeneration and restore function. Specifically, the Wang Group is focused on integrating single cell spatial multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) to study disease mechanisms and developmental process, and engineering stem cell/gene therapy, extracellular vesicles/nanomedicine, and extracellular matrix/biomaterial scaffolds to treat various surgical conditions and diseases. Dr. Wang and his team at CSB specialize in bringing therapeutics from bench to bedside, through innovative discovery, translational and IND-enabling studies, GMP manufacturing, and ultimately clinical trials in both human and companion animal patients.

Please visit Dr. Wang’s website at https://wanglab.engineering.ucdavis.edu or the  website  for  the  Center for Surgical Bioengineering at https://health.ucdavis.edu/surgery/research/index.html

Contact Dr. Wang: aawang@ucdavis.edu.

Luke A. Wittenburg, DVM, PhD, DACVCP

VM: Surgery & Radiology (See also: Pharmacology/Toxicology, Oncology)

Not taking students in 2025

Dr. Wittenburg is a veterinary clinical pharmacologist with basic research interests in cancer biology and investigational/developmental therapeutics for treatment of cancer in pets and people.  A better understanding of the biology and response to therapy in veterinary patients with cancer is crucial to translate discoveries in our pet populations to potential therapies in humans with cancer.  Dr. Wittenburg’s current projects involve aspects of clinical pharmacology (PK/PD modeling) and in vitro pharmacology (comparative metabolism of chemotherapeutic drugs across species). Much of our current focus is to study the importance of protein-protein interactions with regard to transcription factors in the development and survival of osteosarcoma.  Summer project options include those that are basic science/molecular biology based and involve the use of inhibitors of transcription factor protein-protein interactions in human and canine osteosarcoma as molecular probes for identification of potential novel therapeutic targets, or clinical pharmacology based involving development and implementation of high performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) methods for quantitation of chemotherapeutic drugs in veterinary species. 

Please contact Dr. Wittenburg (lwittenburg@ucdavis.edu) for more information.