Mickie Cheng, MD
Associate Professor
My research interests have been guided by my foundational training in genetics and developmental biology and evolved over the course of my subsequent fellowship training at UCSF to include expertise in basic immunology and immune tolerance. This background has driven my research activities in the areas of autoimmunity and mechanisms of T cell tolerance, specifically applied to reproductive biology and especially to endocrine autoimmunity.
During my career development award, my research centered on the study of autoimmune ovarian disease, utilizing a novel mouse model of spontaneous autoimmune disease, the Aire knockout mouse. These studies focused on identification of a disease-specific ovarian antigen and mechanisms of antigen-specific tolerance induction with the ultimate goal of translating antigenic targets from the animal model to improve diagnostic testing and identify therapeutic targets in human ovarian failure and infertility.
Over time, my research interests have grown to include the application of advanced genomics and next generation sequencing in the characterization of autoimmune endocrine disorders leading to a shift towards more clinical care, clinical research and translationally-oriented research.
My expertise includes:
• Advanced genetics background with experience in human genetics and next generation sequencing analyses
• Basic immunology training with focus on immune tolerance and T cell tolerance as well as experience in autoantigen and autoantibody approaches in human immunology.
• Collaborative, translational research efforts resulting in publication of novel insights into autoimmune endocrinopathies as well as other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in the lung, pancreas and other systems.
During my career development award, my research centered on the study of autoimmune ovarian disease, utilizing a novel mouse model of spontaneous autoimmune disease, the Aire knockout mouse. These studies focused on identification of a disease-specific ovarian antigen and mechanisms of antigen-specific tolerance induction with the ultimate goal of translating antigenic targets from the animal model to improve diagnostic testing and identify therapeutic targets in human ovarian failure and infertility.
Over time, my research interests have grown to include the application of advanced genomics and next generation sequencing in the characterization of autoimmune endocrine disorders leading to a shift towards more clinical care, clinical research and translationally-oriented research.
My expertise includes:
• Advanced genetics background with experience in human genetics and next generation sequencing analyses
• Basic immunology training with focus on immune tolerance and T cell tolerance as well as experience in autoantigen and autoantibody approaches in human immunology.
• Collaborative, translational research efforts resulting in publication of novel insights into autoimmune endocrinopathies as well as other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in the lung, pancreas and other systems.