My lab focuses on the influence of pathogens and microbiome specifically on mast cell phenotypes with the long-term goal of demonstrating that mast cell and bacteria interactions are the keys to control skin inflammation and tolerance. The control of skin inflammation is also part of the lab interest in Rosacea. Because the control of inflammation is mediated by the mast cell release of interleukins, the lab is also studying how the TLRs – bacteria interaction can modify mast cell production of interleukins and the possible intracellular second mediators.

Some translational projects are also carried in the lab with a focus on skin diseases like Rosacea and atopic dermatitis, specifically on the role of mast cells and skin barrier have on these diseases.

• Knowledge of basic techniques in the lab like qPCR, DNA and RNA extraction use of CRISPR/CAS, si and shRNA.
• Knowledge of the use of bioinformatics software is preferred.
• Please copy dgarvais@ucsd.edu when contacting the Di Nardo lab.

Contact Anna Di Nardo, adinardo@ucsd.edu

The Hangauer lab focuses on cancer “persister” cells, a recently identified subpopulation of cancer cells found within melanoma, breast, lung, ovarian and other cancers. Persister cells reversibly enter a quiescent, pro-survival cell state and avoid drug-induced cell death through poorly understood mechanisms. The distinguishing feature of persister cell biology is the persister cells’ reversible drug resistance which indicates that these cells initially utilize non-genetic/non-mutational mechanisms to survive. Importantly, these cells can form a long term surviving cancer cell reservoir from which drug-resistant tumors may ultimately emerge.

Project 1: Exploration of whether cancer “persister” cells acquire drug resistance-conferring genetic mutations that allow resistant tumors to emerge. This project consists of utilizing cell culture and molecular biology techniques including CRISPR, RNAi, western blotting, qPCR, deep sequencing, fluorescence microscopy and cell viability assays to explore this question. 

Project 2: Identification of novel therapeutic target genes within cancer persister cells. This project consists of performing high throughput CRISPR and/or small molecule chemical screens in cultured cancer “persister” cells to identify novel gene therapeutic targets and/or drug leads. 

Prior experience with mammalian cell culture preferred.

Contact Matthew Hangauer, mhangauer@ucsd.edu

Research in the Hook laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of neurological diseases for elucidation of drug targets for therapeutics discovery. The hypothesis being studied is that dysfunction in synaptic neurotransmission occur in brain disorders, involving proteases in cell-cell communication and cell death. Advances technologies in molecular to neurochemical, proteomics, cellular and tissue pathology in disease models and clinical human tissues are utilized.

• Novel therapeutics for treatment of chronic pain without addiction, by targeting reduction in expression of the dynorphin neurotransmitter. Antisense agents to reduce dynorphin gene expression in cultured cells and rodent models are being development for treatment of chronic pain.
• Huntington's Disease (HD) gene variants lead to alterations in proteomics of human brain systems. Human HD brain tissues are being investigated for analyses of proteomics changes in molecular pathways resulting from genetic mutation variants of the HTT gene in HD.

• Committment and motivation to advance progress in the research project.
• Course background in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and cell biology are desired.

Contact Vivian Hook, vhook@ucsd.edu