Douglas E. Koshland

Dr. Douglas E. Koshland is Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at University of California, Berkeley. Koshland’s research elucidates the molecular basis of fundamental processes in eukaryotic cell biology. Currently, the Koshland lab studies the higher order packaging of chromosomes, chromosome integrity, and desiccation tolerance, using the simple budding yeast as a model. Higher order chromosome structure is important for the integrity, transmission, and expression of genes found on a given chromosome. The molecular basis for the formation, maintenance, and disassembly of higher order chromosome organization, however, are major unsolved problems in cell biology. Likewise, maintenance of chromosome number and integrity is and important but poorly understood process that is critical to prevent cell inviability, inherited disorders, and disease. The Koshland lab contributes basic research that furthers our understanding of these processes. The laboratory also studies organisms under high water stress in order to understand fundamental principles in water homeostasis, and more generally, cellular stress response. Studies of biological extremes like desiccation have the potential to greatly advance scientific understanding of many critical biological processes. Koshland has been recognized for his work with membership to the National Academy of Sciences and fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in addition to his American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership. His publications appear in prominent journals including Genes & Development, PNAS, and Science.