معرفی
Donald McDonald, MD, PhD is a distinguished researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. With over five decades of experience in vascular biology, he leads a laboratory focused on lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling in mouse models of chronic inflammation and cancer, particularly in the respiratory tract.
Dr. McDonald received his A.B. in Zoology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1961, followed by his M.D. from UCSF in 1965. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa (1965-1966), pursued graduate studies in Cell Biology & Neuroscience at the NIH Graduate Division in Bethesda (1966-1969), and earned his Ph.D. in Cell Biology & Endocrinology from UCSF in 1974.
Dr. McDonald's research examines how abnormalities in lymphatics and blood vessels contribute to disease pathophysiology, with current interests including developing approaches to prevent, stop, or reverse disease-related changes in these vessels. His laboratory uses mouse models to investigate the role of key growth factors and receptors such as VEGF-C, VEGF-A, angiopoietins, TNF-alpha, and HGF in vascular growth and remodeling. The research has significant implications for understanding and treating inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Analysis of Dr. McDonald's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on lymphatic and blood vessel biology, with particular emphasis on their role in inflammation, cancer, and respiratory diseases. His work spans from basic cellular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to understanding vascular biology in health and disease.
Dr. McDonald has been Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants spanning several decades, including:
- Angiopoietin/Tie signaling regulation of vascular leakage in lung inflammation (R01HL143896, 2018-2022)
- Mechanisms, consequences, and reversal of abnormalities in lung lymphatics (R01HL127402, 2015-2019)
- Angiopoietins in vascular and lymphatic remodeling of airways and lung (R01HL059157, 1998-2017)
- Lymphangiogenesis and Angiogenesis in Airway Inflammation (R01HL096511, 2009-2010)
Dr. McDonald's laboratory employs advanced in vivo cell biological approaches to manipulate signaling through switchable transgenic overexpression, genetic deletion, viral vectors, or pharmacological agents. His team investigates how growing or destroying lymphatics and blood vessels affects tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, with the ultimate goal of developing strategies to stop or reverse pathological vascular changes.
