Axel Brunger
Axel Brunger's goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of
calcium-triggered synaptic neurotransmitter release. 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 neuronal adhesion proteins and their role in determining properties of the synapse. More »
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Steven Chu
Steven Chu has recently returned to Stanford University as Professor of Physics and Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford University. From January 2009 until April, 2013, Dr. Chu served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy during President Obama's administration. Prior to his Cabinet post, he was the Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Professor of Physics and Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley and Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford University. Previous to those posts, he was with AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Dr. Chu is the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1997) for his contributions to the laser cooling and trapping of atoms. His other areas of research include tests of fundamental theories in physics, atom interferometry, study of polymers and biological systems at the single molecule level, and biomedical research. While at Stanford, he helped start Bio-X, a multi-disciplinary initiative that brings together the physical and biological sciences with engineering and medicine. More recently, he has focused on how to transition to a sustainable future. More »
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 Liang Feng
We are interested in the structure, dynamics and function of eukaryotic transport proteins mediating ions and major nutrients crossing the membrane, the kinetics and regulation of transport processes, the catalytic mechanism of membrane embedded enzymes and the development of small molecule modulators based on the structure and function of membrane proteins.
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 Chris Garcia
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. More »
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 Miriam Goodman (Associate Chair)
We seek to deconstruct and understand how sensory neurons convert mechanical and thermal stimuli into neural signals perceived as touch, cold, heat, and pain. We use in vivo electrophysiology, genetics, light and electron microscopy, and quantitative analysis of behavior to study this question in the nematode C. elegans. More »
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 Brian Kobilka (Department Chair)
The Kobilka lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of G protein coupled receptor signaling. G protein coupled receptors are responsible for the majority of cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as the senses of sight, olfaction and taste. We use a variety of biochemical and biophysical approaches to characterize the structure and dynamic properties of these receptors that are responsible for their versatile signaling behavior. More »
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 Richard Lewis
Calcium signaling mechanisms in lymphocytes. Generation
of calcium signals by channels, pumps and organelles,
and the effects of calcium dynamics on the specificity of T-cell gene expression. In
vivo calcium imaging with two-photon microscopy. Patch-clamp
studies of the biophysics and regulation of store-operated
calcium channels.
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 Dan Madison
Mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity in mammalian
hippocampus using electrophysiological techniques. Study of long-term
potentiation and mechanisms underlying memory formation in the central
nervous system.
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 Merritt Maduke
We are interested in the molecular mechanisms of ion channels and transporters. We study these mechanisms using a combination of biophysical methods to probe protein structure and dynamics together with electrophysiological analysis to directly measure function. More »
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 Maxence Nachury
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. More »
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 James Nelson
Mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of epithelial
cell polarity. Molecular and cellular analysis of protein sorting,
cell-cell adhesion proteins, and interactions with the cytoskeleton. More »
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 Lucy O'Brien
Stem cell dynamics during functional adaptation of the Drosophila midgut. Physiological signals and cellular interactions that distinguish stem-based organ remodeling from organ renewal. Impact of tissue architecture on stem cell behavior. Genetic perturbation of stem cell regulation, fixed and live tissue imaging, and quantitative morphometric analysis. More »
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 Stephen Smith
Our laboratory explores the development, structure, function and disorders of the brain’s neural circuitry. The lab’s experimental approach has typically begun with the invention of a new optical imaging method followed by applications of that method to attack important but previously untractable experimental challenges. Most recently, the lab invented a unique high-resolution proteomic imaging method called “array tomography”, and are now working to apply this novel method to explore the molecular architecture of cortical microcircuits in mouse and human. This work is currently focused on efforts to identify the circuit loci of the specific changes in synaptic connectivity associated with specific memory traces, i.e. the physical “engrams” of experience. More »
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 Thomas C. Südhof
In brain, neurons primarily communicate with each other at synapses, which are highly plastic, and not only transfer, but also process and store information. My laboratory is interested in how synapses are formed, how synapses work at a molecular level and change during synaptic plasticity, and how synapses become dysfunctional in diseases such as autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders. To address these questions, my laboratory employs a variety of approaches ranging from biophysical and biochemical studies to electrophysiological and behavioral analyses of mutant mice. More »
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 Richard Tsien - Emeritus
Presynaptic signaling involving calcium channels, vesicular fusion
and recycling. Molecular communication between synaptic activity,
local protein synthesis and long-range control of nuclear transcription. Mechanisms
of memory at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. More »
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 William Weis
Molecular interactions that underlie the establishment and maintenance of cell and tissue structure are studied with a variety of biochemical, structural, and biophysical methods. Specific areas of interest include cadherin-based adhesion and its interaction with the cytoskeleton, the relationship between cell-cell junction formation and generation of cell polarity, and the Wnt signaling pathway that controls cell fate determination.
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