Photo of Dr. Onn Brandman, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Stanford University.
Bio-X Affiliated Faculty

Dr. Onn Brandman's lab studies how cells sense and respond to stress. They employ an integrated set of techniques including single cell analysis, mathematical modeling, genomics, structural studies, and in vitro assays.

Research areas include:

  • Protein Quality Control: Cells monitor protein quality from the moment it is synthesized until it is ultimately degraded. We are studying how these pathways function to identify and cope with defective protein.
  • Quality Control of Translation: Failures in protein synthesis are inevitable given the massive number of proteins that cells create. We are studying how protein synthesis that stalls midway can lead to translation arrest, degradation of the partially synthesized nascent chain, and degradation of the mRNA.
  • HSF1 and Stress Signaling: Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) is a conserved eukaryotic transcription factor that drives a protective program in response to stress. We are characterizing and studying the effectors of HSF1 to gain a better understanding of this important regulator.
  • Translation Under Stress: Selective translation in response to stress is a highly conserved, adaptive phenomenon. We are studying the mechanisms that regulate translation during stress.