Michael E. Selsted, MD, PhD

Title(s)Professor of Pathology
SchoolKeck School of Medicine of Usc
AddressHMR 2011 Zonal Ave
Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles CA 90089-9092
Phone+1 323 442 1180
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    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse Overview
    Dr. Selsted is a board certified pathologist, physician scientist, and administrator. His academic career includes appointments as Professor (1989-2009) and Chair of Pathology at UC Irvine School of Medicine (2000 - 2009) and Professor and Chair of Pathology in the Keck School of Medicine (2009 - 2024). Dr. Selsted leads a multidisciplinary research program focused on mammalian host defense, innate immunity, and inflammation. This focus led to the discovery and characterization of α-, β-, and θ-defensins, microbicidal and immunomodulatory peptides expressed in myeloid and epithelial cells of vertebrates. These investigations, continuously funded by NIH since 1986, have resulted in more than 50 US and foreign patents, as well as clinical translation of a θ-defensin for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Ongoing studies seek to elucidate the immunoregulatory mechanisms of these peptides, design and application of novel analogs, and application of θ-defensin-inspired macrocyclic peptides in models of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infections caused by MDR bacterial and fungal pathogens.

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Research Activities and Funding
    Host defense-stimulating macrocyclic peptides for treatment of MDR bacterial infections
    NIH R01AI125141May 1, 2016 - Apr 30, 2021
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Regulation of Mucosal Immunity by Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Salivary Defensins
    NIH R01DE021341Aug 12, 2010 - May 31, 2015
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Physiologic Peptide Cyclization in Myeloid Cells
    NIH R01AI058129Jun 1, 2004 - May 31, 2009
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Molecular Ontogeny of Oral Mucosal Resistance to SIV
    NIH R01DE015517Dec 15, 2003 - Nov 30, 2009
    Role: Principal Investigator
    DRUG DISCOVERY FOR TREATMENT OF CRYPTOCOCCAL DISEASE
    NIH U01AI031696Aug 1, 1991 - Jul 31, 1995
    Role: Principal Investigator
    MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF LEUKOCYTE ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES
    NIH R37AI022931Jul 1, 1989 - Mar 31, 2012
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Molecular Aspects of Leukocyte Antimicrobial Peptides
    NIH R01AI022931Jul 1, 1986 - May 31, 2019
    Role: Principal Investigator