Dr. Rik Derynck is a distinguished molecular biologist and world-renowned expert in cellular signaling mechanisms. He currently serves as Professor in the Department of Cell & Tissue Biology at the University of California, San Francisco, where he also holds the position of Co-Director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Louvain in Belgium and earning his doctorate from the University of Ghent, he began his groundbreaking research career at Genentech in South San Francisco. His move to UCSF in 1991 marked the beginning of his influential academic tenure where he established a world-class research program. Dr. Derynck's career trajectory has been defined by his pioneering contributions to understanding growth factor signaling and its critical roles in cellular processes.
Dr. Derynck's most significant achievement was the molecular characterization of transforming growth factor (TGF)-α and TGF-β while at Genentech, which established the foundation for the entire TGF-β family of differentiation factors. His laboratory has produced numerous mechanistic and conceptual advances in understanding TGF-β signaling mechanisms, with many discoveries originating directly from his research group becoming standard knowledge in the field. He was instrumental in discovering TGF-β's ability to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a fundamental cellular process with profound implications for cancer metastasis and tissue development. The reagents and methodologies developed in his lab have been widely adopted by researchers worldwide, significantly accelerating progress in growth factor signaling research. His work has also provided the critical foundation for therapeutic approaches based on the inhibition of TGF-β signaling, with important applications in treating fibrosis and cancer.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Derynck has been instrumental in training generations of scientists who now lead laboratories across the globe and shape the future of molecular biology. As Co-Director of the Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine, he has positioned UCSF at the forefront of stem cell research and regenerative medicine, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that advance translational science. His commitment to translating basic discoveries into clinical applications is exemplified by his role as Founder of Pliant Therapeutics, which focuses on developing novel therapeutics to halt progression of fibrotic diseases. Dr. Derynck continues to lead cutting-edge research exploring TGF-β receptor activation and Smad- and non-Smad-mediated signaling mechanisms, with his work remaining at the vanguard of understanding cellular processes relevant to multiple human diseases.
