Dennis, Edward
Biochemistry: phospholipase A2, signal transduction in macrophages, lipid maps, prostaglandin regulation, mass spec of lipids and proteins.

Contact Information
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology
Chancellor I Chair in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Office: BSB 4076
Phone: 858-534-3055
Email: edennis@ucsd.edu
Web: cobra.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members
Education
1968 Ph.D., Harvard University
1965 M.A., Harvard University
1963 B.A., Yale University
Appointments
2019-Present Chancellor I Distinguished Professorship, Depts. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, UC San Diego
2017-2019 Chair, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
2004-Present Distinguished Professor, Depts. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, UC San Diego
2003-2004 Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, UC San Diego
1999-Present Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute
1999-2002 Chair, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
1981-2004 Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
1975-1981 Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, UC San Diego
1970-1975 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, UC San Diego
1967-1969 Postdoc, Dept. of Biological Chemistry, Harvard Medical School
1963-1967 Predoc, Dept. of Chemistry, Harvard University
Awards and Academic Honors
2020
Bert Vallee Award in Biomedical Science from the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2019
David Sigman Memorial Lecture, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA
2017
Special Award Lecture in Neuroscience and Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences
2016
American Chemical Society, San Diego Section, Distinguished Scientist Award
2014
Honorary Doctorate, University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon (France)
2013
Otto Loewi Memorial Lecturer, University of Graz
2013
Chancellor Award Lecture in Neuroscience and Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences
2008
Yale Medal, Yale University
2008
Honorary Doctorate, Goethe University of Frankfurt (Germany)
2007
European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids "European Lipid Science Award”
2004
Yale Science and Engineering Association Meritorious Service to Yale Award
2004
Dean’s Award Lecture in Neuroscience/Distinguished Lectureship, Louisiana State University
2003-2018
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Lipid Research
2003-2014
Director, LIPID MAPS (NIH Glue Grant Consortium)
2000
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Avanti Award
1983-1984
Guggenheim Fellow
Research Interests
The Dennis group has studied the structure and function of phospholipases for about three decades. We have extensively characterized the cobra venom phospholipase A2 and from these studies have developed a model for the action of soluble enzymes at phospholipid surfaces. These studies have been extended to numerous other phospholipases. We have also explored the role that these enzymes play in various cell function in macrophages, amniotic WISH cells, and in neural tissues.

Since phospholipase A2 liberates arachidonic acid, it occupies an important position in the eicosanoid cascade and is partially responsible for the regulation of prostaglandin production. The regulation of the production of these compounds has been shown to be important in inflammation, the onset of premature labor, and the etiology of various neural degenerative diseases.

Thus understanding how phospholipase A2 functions and how to control its activity, offer important avenues for developing potent pharmacological agents for controlling numerous diseases.
Primary Research Area
Biochemistry
Interdisciplinary interests
Cellular Biochemistry


Selected Publications