Center for Global Health and Inter-Disciplinary Research
* (COPH GHIDR Genomics Researchers Profile)
Stephen Liggett, MD
Associate Vice President, College of Medicine Office of Research
Associate Vice President for Research, USF Health
Vice Dean for Research, Morsani College of Medicine
Professor, Internal Medicine, Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology
Contact Info
- Office: MDD 712
- Academic Email: sliggett@usf.edu
- Academic Phone: 8139747715
- View My C.V. | View My Website | View My Lab Site
Education
- MD, Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1982
Biography
Dr. Liggett is the Vice Dean for Research at USF’s Morsani College of Medicine. His lab studies the genetics, genomics, and molecular and cellular biology of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). He discovered the first nonsynonymous polymorphism of a GPCR, subsequently defining its function in cells and genetically modified mice. GPCRs are the targets of ~50% of currently prescribed drugs. Delineation for the extensive variability within the superfamily opened the modern era of pharmacogenomics, where drug targets are now considered. The laboratory studies GPCRs in relation to heart and lung disease, but casts a broad net to understand inter-individual variability. For example, the group preformed complete genome sequencing of all known human rhinoviruses. This lead to superimposition of crystal structures, optimal-energy RNA conformation predictions, and phylogeny to ascertain the basis of rhinovirus induced GPCR dysfunction and asthma pathogenesis.