Scientific Interest

The brain is composed of a multitude of cell types, far too many for any one accounting, and understanding how this diversity is generated is my overarching scientific interest. Particular diversity can be found in the sensory systems, where sensory neurons often employ complex and hierarchical gene regulatory programs to tightly define their stimulus receptive fields. To approach the question of how neuronal diversity is generated, I use molecular genetics and biochemistry to study the sensory systems of the mouse.

Former Lab Affiliations

Education

Scientific Interest

I am interested in how the cell post-transcriptionally modifies its protein expression profile in order to adapt to stress. This includes the selective translation of mRNAs encoding stress-response proteins as well as changes in mRNA degradation dynamics.

Current Research Interests

I am currently investigating how the truncated mRNA of BiP1, an ER-chaperone protein, is stabilized after loss of its polyA tail during ER stress in S. pombe.

Education

Scientific Interest

Cancer biology, drug resistance, cellular stress responses, protein-protein interactions, synergistic gene activation, genome wide and sub-genome wide genetic interaction screening platforms

Current Research Interests

Sub-genome wide shRNA screening of multiple myeloma; dissection of potential drug protection and sensitization pathways in lymphoid cancers

Former Lab Affiliations

Education

Links

LinkedIn

Current Position

 About Peter

Peter Walter’s Biography

Peter’s UCSF Profile

Selected Articles

Harnessing Serendipity  by Esther Landhuis
Along unpredictable paths to discovery, Peter Walter has maintained a sure-footed approach – to the science as well as to the people he mentors …

This article features videos of interest including:

• “Squeezing Time for Art” – Peter shares some of the pieces of art he has created and the stories behind them.
•  “What is the Unfolded Protein Response” – Curious about the Unfolded Protein Response? Learn more from this video.
• “The 2015 Vilcik Prize in Biomedical Science Video” – The Vilcek Foundation produced this video which captures a bit about a day in the life of Peter and our lab. We thank them for their generosity.

Walking Along the Serendipitous Path of Discovery by Peter Walter

Students entering graduate school often ask for the “recipe for success.” Yet looking back at the events that shaped my own career, both personal and scientific, I continue to be amazed by the convoluted paths, which are neither linear nor predictable. This is a difficult message to transmit to those embarking on a research career, and it invariably prompts the next question: “So you say that our success in science will be determined by dumb luck?” Not so—it’s serendipity, a word that much better describes our path to discovery. It is not uncommon that initially disappointing turns lead to unexpected outcomes that then miraculously align to appear as a progression of incredibly good fortune …