Ophir Klein, PhD, MD
Professor
Orofacial Sciences
School of Dentistry

Ophir Klein is Professor of Orofacial Sciences and Pediatrics, the Larry L. Hillblom Distinguished Professor in Craniofacial Anomalies, and the Charles J. Epstein Professor of Human Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

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He serves as Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics, Chair of the Division of Craniofacial Anomalies, Interim Director of the Institute for Human Genetics, and Director of the Program in Craniofacial Biology. The Klein laboratory focuses on understanding how organs form in developing embryos and how they regenerate in adults. When developmental and regenerative processes go awry, then birth defects, cancer and other diseases can result. The group's research is centered on understanding how development and regeneration normally occur in the hope of one day treating diseases that result from abnormalities in these processes. A central focus in the lab is craniofacial and dental development, as malformations in these organs are among the most common congenital abnormalities and have profound impacts on the lives of patients and their families. The maintenance, repair and growth of many adult organs, such as the bone marrow, skin, brain, and gastrointestinal tract, depend on tissue-specific populations of stem cells. The lab uses the rodent incisor, which grows continuously throughout the life of the animal, as a model system to understand adult stem cells. We intend to use the insights provided by our experiments in mice to guide us in the use of stem cells in regenerating dental and craniofacial tissues as a paradigm for developing replacement organs. Another major area of study is regeneration of the gastrointestinal tract. The amazing ability of the mammalian gastrointestinal epithelium to renew has long fascinated biologists. Our research aims to address fundamental questions in this field, including the identity, regulation and plasticity of intestinal stem cells. Finally, the laboratory is interested in how positive and negative modulators of signaling affect development, homeostasis and cancer. We are studying the roles of these molecules in the patterning and outgrowth of teeth, taste papillae, the oral mucosa, and other tissues and organs.

Awards

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  • Elected member, Association of American Physicians, 2021
  • Rachford Lecturer, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 2021
  • Dr. Richard and Nancy Christiansen Craniofacial Research and Education Lecturer, University of Minne, 2020
  • Elected member, National Academy of Medicine, 2018
  • Craniofacial Biology Distinguished Scientist Award, International Association for Dental Research, 2017
  • Lawrence A. Tabak Lecturership, University of Rochester, 2017
  • Charles J. Epstein Professor of Human Genetics, 2016
  • Inaugural Sustaining Outstanding Achievement in Research (SOAR) R35 Award, NIDCR, 2016
  • E. Mead Johnson Award, Society for Pediatric Research, 2015
  • Faculty Research Lecturer Award, UCSF School of Dentistry, 2015
  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2014
  • Larry L. Hillblom Distinguished Professor in Craniofacial Anomalies, 2014
  • Elected Member, American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2013
  • Outstanding Faculty Mentorship Award, UCSF Graduate Students' Association, 2013
  • Physician Scientist Award, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, 2013
  • New Innovator Award, National Institutes of Health, 2010
  • Basil O'Connor Award, March of Dimes, 2009
  • Elected Member, Western Society for Pediatric Research, 2009
  • Harold M. Frost Young Investigator Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 2009
  • Charles E. Culpeper Scholar, Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships, 2008
  • Elected Member, Society for Pediatric Research, 2008
  • New Faculty Award, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, 2008
  • Young Investigator, United States Bone and Joint Decade, 2008
  • David W. Smith Research Award, Western Society for Pediatric Research, 2005
  • Fellow Research Award, Society for Pediatric Research, 2005
  • Young Investigator Research Grant Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Genetics and Birt, 2005
  • Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004
  • Fellow, Pediatric Scientist Development Program, NICHD, 2004
  • Dean's Distinguished Thesis Commendation, Yale University Graduate School, 1999
  • Medical Scientist Training Program, National Institutes of Health, 1993
  • Chancellor's Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley, 1989

Education & Training

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  • Genetics residency School of Medicine University of California, San Francisco 2007
  • Pediatrics residency School of Medicine Yale University 2003
  • M.D. School of Medicine Yale University 2000
  • Ph.D. School of Medicine Yale University 1999
  • B.A. University of California, Berkeley 1993

Interests

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  • Stem cell biology
  • Medical genetics
  • Developmental biology
  • Intestinal stem cells
  • Craniofacial biology

Websites

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (234)

Top publication keywords:
EpitheliumIncisorIntestinesToothMolarEpithelial CellsCraniofacial AbnormalitiesSignal TransductionOdontogenesisAmeloblastsStem CellsGene Expression Regulation, DevelopmentalDental EnamelFibroblast Growth FactorsEctoderm

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