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Bruce Nicholson Ph.D.
gap junctions, composed of Connexins, form intercellular channels that mediate exchange of signals and metabolites between cells
Stromal and epithelial cells, separated from endometrial biopsies, show distinct gene expression profiles in endometriosise
We measure invasiveness of endometrial cells with modified connexin expression in a 3-D invasion model

Contact

210-567-3776

nicholsonb@uthscsa.edu

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Research

Nicholson Lab

Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students

Bruce J. Nicholson, Ph.D.

Professor

Co-Director Center for Innovative Drug Discovery

Chief Scientific Officer, Hera Biotech, Inc.

Dr. Bruce Nicholson, Professor of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, is the co-Director of the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery and recently co-founded Hera Biotech Inc., a company focused on developing diagnostics for endometriosis. A native of Australia, Dr. Nicholson did his PhD and post-doctoral training at Caltech, and prior to moving to San Antonio was a faculty at the University at Buffalo. He has spent his career defining the molecular structure and properties of gap junctions, structures that mediate direct exchanges of ions and metabolites between cells.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1983 - PhD - Cell Biology; Neurobiology - California Institute of Technology
    • 1976 - Honors (1st class) - Enzymology - University of Queensland
    • 1975 - BSc - Biochemistry - University of Queensland

    Training

    • 1986 - Postdoctoral Fellow - Chemistry - California Institute of Technology

    Highlights

    1988: PEW Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences

    1992 - 97: AHA Established Investigator

    1993: Max Planck Prize

    2001- 05: Editor-in Chief: Cell Communication and Adhesion

    2003 - 05: Member, Faculty of 1000

    2003 -:Member, Council for Canadian Chairs

    2016 - 17: President - Association for Medical and Graduate Departments of Biochemistry 

    2020 - :Editor in Chief, Biochemistry and Biophysics Section - Life

    Appointments

    • 3/2004 - 8/2019 - Professor and Chair - UTHSCSA, Biochemistry, San Antonio
    • 9/2005 - Cross-appointed Professor - UTHSCSA, Physiology Department
    • 8/2012 - C-Director and Founder - UTUSCSA, Center for Innovative Drug Discovery
    • 1986 - 2004 - Assistant Professor - Professor - University at Buffalo, SUNY, Dept. Biological Sciences
    • 1994 - 2004 - Co-Director Center for Advanced Molecular Biology and Immunology - University at Buffalo, SUNY

  • Instruction & Training

    • 2019 - present, Discipline Coordinator, Biochemistry, Undergrad. Med. Curriculum, UTHSCSA, Long School of Medicine
    • 2015 - 2020, Bioc 0003 Scientific Writing, UTHSCSA, Dept. Biochemistry
    • 7/2012 - Present, Post-Doctoral Fellow Supervision, UTHSCSA Graduate School
    • 2005 - present, INTD 5040 Fundamentals of Neuroscience I, UTHSCSA Graduate School
    • 2004 - Present, Membership on Ph.D. Supervising Committees, UTHSCSA Graduate School
    • 2004 - 2015, PhD Mentor, UTHSCSA Graduate School
    • 2008-2016, INTD 5000 Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA Graduate School
    • 2006-2012, BIOC 6043 Structure/Function of Membrane Proteins, UTHSCSA, Dept. Biochemistry

  • Research & Grants

     

    All multicellular life forms integrate behavior through intecellular communication. The most direct, and ancient, way of achieving this is through gap junctions, arrays of pores between cells that allow exchanges of ions, nutrients, metabolites, and even peptides and microRNAs. We have been investigating the permeability characteristics of these pores, which have proven surprisingly selective depending on their protein composition, and investigating the mechanisms of their regulation. Recently, we have been examining the role of gap junctions in the invasive processes in cancer metastasis and endometriosis, including their potential as a diagnostic for the latter.

    Nicholson Lab

  • Service

    Department

    2019 - pres.     Chair, Education Comittee

    2004 - 2019    Chairman, Depratment of Biochemistry and Structural Biology

    2006 - pres.      Biochemsitry Retreat Organizing Committee

    School

    2014 - pres.       Executive Committee for BMM (prviously MBB) Discipline Committee

    2015 - 2019      Recruitment Committee for IBMS Program

    2015 - 2019      Executive Committee on Graduate Education, IBMS Program

    2012 - 2019     Basic Science Chaors Council, LSOM

    Institutional

    2006 - pres.      Chair of selection committee for restructed junior faculty awards

    2015 - pres.      Leadership Committee IIMS

    2012 - pres.      Chair, Steering Committee of Center for Innovative Drug Discovery

    2013, 2016      Office of International Services Director Search Committee

    2010 - 2012     Chair of working groups on Med. Chem., miRNA, Faculty Retention, CTRC

    National

    2019 - pres.       Editor-in-Chief, Life - Section of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Computational Biology

    2015 - 2017      President - Association of Medical and Graduate Departments of Biochemistry (AMGDB)

    2013 - 2018       Executive Board of AMGDB

    1994 - 2020      Member of NIH Study Sections [(CDF4 (reg.), ICI, NTRC, MDCN (ad hoc)]

    Community

    2012 - pres.      Chair, Wildlife Education Committee, Fair Oaks Ranch

  • Publications