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Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy

Richard Tucker, Ph.D.

Richard Tucker, Ph.D.

Professor
3414 Tupper Hall, Davis Campus
(530) 752-0238
e-mail


Recent/Current
Research Funding

National Science Foundation

Graduate Group Affiliations

Cell and Developmental Biology

Research Interests

Dr. Tucker’s laboratory studies cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions during development, especially how it relates to cell motility and differentiation. Model systems used include the development of the avian visual system, tumor metastasis, and regeneration in the marine invertebrate Nematostella. Recently, most of his work has focused on the roles of tenascins, thrombospondins and teneurins. Tenascins and thrombospondins are extracellular matrix glycoproteins that can influence cell motility, proliferation and differentiation in the embryo. They often reappear in tumors and at sites of trauma. Teneurins are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by interconnected populations of neurons. The intracellular domain of teneurins can be processed and transported to the nucleus, where it is predicted to play a role in transcriptional regulation.

Representative Publications

Kenzelmann, D., Chiquet-Ehrismann, R., Leachman, N.T. and R. P. Tucker. 2008. Teneurin-1 is expressed in interconnected parts of the avian brain and is processed in vivo. BMC Development Biology 8:30. ("Image of the Month", "Highly Accessed")

Meloty-Kapella, C.V., Degen, M., Chiquet-Ehrismann and R.P. Tucker. 2008. The effects of tenascin-W on osteoblasts in vitro. Cell and Tissue Research, 334:445-455.

Tucker, R.P. and R. Chiquet-Ehrismann. 2008. Evidence for the evolution of tenascin and fibronectin early in the chordate lineage. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 41:424-434.

Recent/Current Teaching

CHA 400, Developmental, Gross and Radiographic Anatomy (Course Director)

CHA 402, Cell and Tissue Biology

MCB 252, The Cellular Basis of Morphogenesis (Course Director)

FRS 002, Freshman Seminar (Course Director)


Teaching and Research Awards

  • Kaiser Foundation Annual Award for Excellence in Teaching Basic Sciences, 1998, 2002, 2007
  • UC Davis School of Medicine, Tupper Prize for Excellence in Teaching, 2007
  • UC Davis School of Medicine, Excellence in Education Award, 2005
  • Outstanding Basic Science Instructor, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008
  • Gian Toendury Prize for the Promotion of Research in Morphological Sciences, 1989