Tomas Ganz

Prof. Tomas Ganz is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on systemic iron metabolism, anemia mechanisms, and the role of iron in chronic diseases such as kidney disease and inflammation. He has contributed significantly to understanding the molecular regulation of hepcidin and erythroferrone, key hormones governing iron homeostasis.

Recent work explores iron's interactions with pregnancy outcomes, cancer biology, and therapeutic interventions for anemias caused by chronic kidney disease or genetic disorders like β-thalassemia. His studies utilize mouse models, clinical trials, and biochemical analyses to investigate iron's role in erythropoiesis, inflammation, and organ dysfunction.

Major research themes include: (1) Hepcidin biology and its impact on systemic iron distribution; (2) Erythroferrone's role in erythropoiesis and anemia mitigation; (3) Iron dysregulation in pregnancy and its fetal consequences; (4) Development of novel therapies for iron overload disorders.

Publications highlight advancements in diagnostic methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS for 2,3-DPG measurement) and therapeutic strategies involving erythroferrone overexpression or novel iron chelators. Collaborative efforts with nephrology, oncology, and obstetrics teams address translational challenges in iron-related pathologies.