Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
Research Career Scientist, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco
Member, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco
Member, Cancer Genetics & Prostate Cancer Program
Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco
Member, Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco
Member, Center for Precision Medicine in Rheumatology (PREMIER), University of California, San Francisco
Y Chromosome Genes in Health and Diseases
Our research focuses on understanding the roles of Y chromosome genes, and their homologues, in mammalian development and their epigenetic regulation and dysfunctions contributing to both normal male development and human diseases. Our research efforts are currently on the following specific areas of investigation:
Molecular mechanism of sex determination and differentiation - early stages of male sex differentation
Roles of the sex chromosomes in human cancers - how misbehavior of certain Y and X chromosome genes could exacerbate or suppress human tumor initiation and development
Y chromosome and sexual dimorphisms in normal development, disease initiation and progression - brain structure, neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, cognitive disorders, autism and somatic cancers with sex differences, such as liver cancer.
Transgenic mouse models of human diseases
Various molecular genetics, genomics, proteomic and transgenic mouse strategies are utilized in our research.
Contact Information
Chris Lau, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Genetics
Department of Medicine
VA Medical Center, 111C5
University of California, San Francisco
4150 Clement Street
