UCSF GI DIVISION FACULTY

Robert L. Owen, M.D.

Professor of Medicine, Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Address:

VAMC 11C1
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
San Francisco, CA 94121-1545

Email:

robert.owen@va.gov

Areas of Research Interest:

1. Role of intermediate filaments in uptake and transport of antigens and microorganisms by M cells in Peyer's patches.
2. Homing and localization of antigen processing cells and lymphocyte subsets in intestinal lymphoid organs.
3. Neuropeptide mediation of hepatic immunocyte migration and function.
4. Diagnosis and treatment of microsporidia and other protozoa in diarrhea and the wasting syndrome of AIDS.

Techniques Used:

1. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for localization of intermediate filaments, neuropeptides, their receptors, macromolecular antigens and microorganisms.
2. Video microscopy and computer-assisted morphometric analysis of hepatic and mucosal lymphoid structures during mucosal immune responses.
3. Ultrastructural immunolocalization of vimentin and correlation with transport function of rabbit and human M cells in Peyer's patch and appendix.
4. Cloning and sequencing of rabbit vimentin.
5. Measurement of mRNA for vimentin as an indication of M cell differentiation.
6. Ultrastructural analysis of opportunistic protozoal, bacterial and viral pathogens in intestinal mucosal cells.

Selected Publications:

Kageyama M, Nakatsuka K, Yamaguchi T, OWEN RL, Shimada T: Ocular defense mechanisms with special reference to the demonstration and functional morphology of the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in Japanese monkeys. Arch Histol Cytol 2006;69:311-322

Fujimura Y, Haruma K, OWEN RL: Bombesin Prevents the atrophy of Peyer's patches and the dysfunction of M Cells in rabbits receiving long-term parenteral nutrition. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31:75-85.

Dr. Owen's short CV