Head and Neck Cell Biology and Stem Cell Therapeutics Laboratory

Much of our early work used in cells from individuals with inherited diseases with defective DNA repair and replication genes and with a predisposition for cancer. In addition, we have used this information used these principles that we obtained to generate immortalized cell lines in different stages neoplastic progression to study cancer progression and other inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, fragile-X syndrome, and xeroderma pigmentosum, and Fanconi anemia. We have also developed sequence specific gene targeting strategy based on cell-mediated specific modifications of genomic DNA small DNA fragments (SDFs).

Nano-Probing Single Biomolecular Dynamics Laboratory

Using advanced nanoprobing systems providing new optical, electronic, and magnetic capabilities, we are aiming to visualize and to control dynamic motions of key biomolecules regulating important cellular processes.

Head and Neck Cancer Laboratory

The Head and Neck Cancer Lab is dedicated to increasing our understanding of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to develop new treatment and prevention approaches.

Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Laboratory

The UCSF Skull Base and Cerebrovascular laboratory is formed by world-renowned Neurosurgeons and Otolaryngologists in the fields of skull base, neuro-oncology and cerebrovascular surgery.

The Tward Laboratory

Despite years of research, the rate of survival following treatment of this disease has not substantially improved in the past 50 years. As a consequence, new approaches to treatment of this disease are necessary to improve patient outcomes. Together with our collaborators, we have identified a set of genes which when mutated contribute to the initiation and progression of HNSCC.