The Department of Physiology is a basic science department in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA that was founded in 1952. Physiology is the study of how living systems function, through a comprehensive approach that builds upon fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. The overarching goal is to understand the processes by which molecules, cells, and organs interact to maintain vitality and good health. The Department has a rich history of landmark discoveries in membrane transport, ion channel biophysics, membrane receptors, contractility, and the electrophysiology of nerve, muscle and heart. In recent years, our faculty have expanded upon this foundation to develop a diverse portfolio of research programs:

•  atomic-level structure of membrane proteins
•  molecular basis of learning and memory
•  non-traditional signaling systems for the support cells of the brain
•  modulation of the immune system by calcium signaling
•  sugar transporters in the management of diabetes and development of new PET ligands to detect cancer
•  excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle
•  animal models of ion channelopathies affecting muscle, heart and brain
•  discovery of novel receptors that regulate vascular proliferation and tumor growth
•  large-data bioinformatics and proteomics to accelerate discovery in cardiovascular disease.

Our mission is to advance the frontiers of physiological sciences through excellence in research, training of students and fellows, and application of this knowledge to promote advances in our understanding, diagnosis, and management of human disease. We are excited about the new insights and discoveries that come from our work, and we are passionate about communicating these advances to scientific peers, clinicians, and the public.

Thank you for visiting our web site, and I encourage you to contact our faculty for additional information.
Stephen C. Cannon, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Physiology