Entomologist Bruce Hammock (center) is circled by his award-winning researchers. From left are Kara Schmelzer, Tim Weaver, Pavel "Pasha" Aronov and Hsing-Ju "Cindy" Tsai. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Welcome to the Laboratory of Dr. Bruce D. Hammock
Distinguished Professor of Entomology and UC Davis Cancer Research Center
University of California, Davis
The biochemical basis of human and environment interactions has been the long term theme of research and training in the Hammock Laboratory. Led by Dr. Hammock, a member of the National Academy of Science, our team of over 30 scientists and students employ a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to research that delves into basic questions of biology and biochemistry that have practical implications for improving both human and environmental health.
The work in the lab is currently focused on three areas: 1)
insect biology – focused on finding improved pest control
agents
through the study of the mechanism of insect development; 2) mammalian
enzymology – the study of enzymes involved in foreign
compound
metabolism and their possible endogenous roles, and 3) analytical
chemistry - developing rapid analytical methods for metabolomics and
detecting environmental contaminants.
The laboratory has produced over 650 publications on a wide range of
topics in entomology, biochemistry and analytical and environmental
chemistry in high quality journals. The laboratory has
generated
over 30 patents. The lab is the home of the UC Davis/NIEHS
Superfund Basic Research and Training Program as well as the NIH
Training Grant in Biomolecular Technology. Lab alumni number
over
65 graduates holding positions of distinction in academia, industry and
government as well as over 300 postdoctorals, visiting scientists and
international scholars and collaborators. The historical
research
funding base is diverse and includes long terms grants from NIH, USDA,
Department of Defense, UC Mosquito Research Program and many private
and research foundation contracts and grants. Two companies
have
been spawned to translate research advances. Arête
Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company and Synthia LLC is a
nanotechnology development company.