A role of vitamin D receptor and cofactors in epithelial stem regeneration in ectodermal tissues
Yuko Oda, Research Staff
UC San Francisco
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
The goal of our research is to identify a mechanism how somatic stem cells determine their cell fate through stage or cell specific transcriptional and epigenetic program. We hypothesized that the vitamin D receptor and its regulator of Mediator is critical for temporal or spatial specific transcription to control epithelial cell fate.
We use vitamin D receptor deficient mice, in which stem cell-based skin wound healing is delayed.
We also developed unique a mouse model in which postnatal regeneration of the epithelium is converted from enamel production to one producing hair by conditional deletion of Mediator 1. Using these models, we study the molecular mechanism by which adult stem cells specify cell fate and contribute to wound healing through injury induced stem cell plasticity.
Role: The student will support research activities and conduct basic research under close supervision including transgenic mouse maintenance and biochemical and molecular biology analysis in the Endocrine Research department. Mouse handling is essential but we will provide full training.
Specific roles
• Assisting lab personnel with mouse and biochemical laboratory experiments
• Assisting mouse tissue collection and their genotyping determination by PCR
• Conducting DNA analysis by gel electrophoresis and interpret the data
• Conducting basic biochemical and molecular biology experiments.
• Analyze the data and report the results to lab personnel.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.
Qualifications: We are looking for students with strong biology background, and who can commit typically 8-12 hours per week, ideally for 1 year (average). We will provide credits for your studies. Pre-med students or those planning to apply to graduate school are welcome to apply. A recommendation letter will be provided according to contributions.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Yuko Oda PhD, Staff Researcher
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: 1700 Owens Street, San Francisco CA 94151 (UCSF Mission bay campus) free shuttles from/to BART station is available
Biological & Health Sciences