Andrew P. McMahon

Andrew P. McMahon, PhD, FRSW.M. Keck Provost and University Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Biological Sciences 323-442-7847


Dr. McMahon’s laboratory explores the mechanisms that maintain stem/progenitor cells and regulate their differentiation to mature cell types of different organ systems, particularly the kidney. By combining genetic and genomic approaches with high resolution imaging, his group is aiming to obtain a deeper understanding of stem cell biology and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine.

Stories

; featured image for Wnt happens in kidney development?

Wnt happens in kidney development?

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A pair of USC Stem Cell mouse studies detail how progenitor cells self-renew, differentiate, and aggregate into early kidney structures, offering insights for the creation of stem cell-based artificial kidneys. A group …

Following an acute kidney injury, damaged cells interact within disease-promoting microenvironments, a process linked to a progression to chronic kidney disease. (Image by Michal Polonsky/Caltech); featured image for New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

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Using cutting-edge technology, researchers at USC and Caltech develop a comprehensive map of cellular, molecular, and structural changes following AKI, revealing cellular interactions that may lead to chronic kidney disease. A study …

Charles (Chuck) Murry (Photo by Gavin Sisk/ University of Washington); featured image for USC Stem Cell welcomes new leader, renowned physician-scientist Chuck Murry

USC Stem Cell welcomes new leader, renowned physician-scientist Chuck Murry

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Charles (Chuck) Murry, MD, PhD, has been appointed as the next head of USC Stem Cell. In that capacity, he will be the chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and …

In specialized kidney cells that filter the blood (podocytes), both mouse and human cells express the gene MAFB (red) but the human kidney disease associated gene PLA2R1 is only active in human cells (green). (Image by Sunghyun Kim/McMahon lab); featured image for USC Stem Cell study maps how genes instruct kidneys to develop differently in mice and humans

USC Stem Cell study maps how genes instruct kidneys to develop differently in mice and humans

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How similar is kidney development in humans and in the lab mice that form the foundation of basic medical research? In a new study published in Developmental Cell, USC Stem Cell scientists …

(Photo by William Vasta); featured image for How the USC stem cell master’s program changed the lives of 10 alumni

How the USC stem cell master’s program changed the lives of 10 alumni

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In honor of the 10th anniversary of USC’s stem cell master’s program, we asked 10 alumni to reflect on how the program changed the course of their lives and careers. Launched in …

Lab grown human nephron progenitor cells (Image by Biao Huang/Li Lab); featured image for USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

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In a new study published in Cell Stem Cell, USC scientists report significant progress in cultivating nephron progenitor cells (NPCs), the cells destined to form the kidney’s filtration system, the nephrons. NPCs …

Kidney organoids with proximal tubules (Image by Jack Schnell/Lindström Lab); featured image for $3.95 million CIRM grant establishes USC ASCEND Center to make stem cell-derived organ models accessible to all

$3.95 million CIRM grant establishes USC ASCEND Center to make stem cell-derived organ models accessible to all

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To democratize access to lab-grown organ-like structures known as organoids and other advanced stem cell and transcriptomic technologies, USC will launch the CIRM ASCEND Center, dedicated to “Advancing Stem Cell Education and …

Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century; featured image for Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century

Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century

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USC Stem Cell is pleased to introduce our new publication. We hope you’ll enjoy reflecting back on our history, while looking ahead to the transformative times to come. Read now at https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/wp-content/themes/stemcell/incubator.

The 2023 Mammalian Synthetic Biology Workshop (Photo courtesy of Catcher Salazar); featured image for Three USC Stem Cell undergraduates expand their horizons, thanks to Neil Segil Travel Scholarships

Three USC Stem Cell undergraduates expand their horizons, thanks to Neil Segil Travel Scholarships

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Few scientists will ever forget the first time they presented their research at a conference. Thanks to the Neil Segil Stem Cell Travel Scholarships, three USC Stem Cell undergraduate researchers recently experienced …

Two of the genes—Gsta4 in red and Cyp4a14 in green—that are more active in female mouse kidneys (blue) (Image by Jing Liu/McMahon Lab); featured image for Why are male kidneys more vulnerable to disease than female kidneys? USC Stem Cell-led mouse study points to testosterone.

Why are male kidneys more vulnerable to disease than female kidneys? USC Stem Cell-led mouse study points to testosterone.

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Female kidneys are known to be more resilient to disease and injury, but males need not despair. A new USC Stem Cell-led study published in Developmental Cell describes not only how sex …

At the lab bench (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for Ten USC Stem Cell PhD students and recent graduates earn NIH fellowships

Ten USC Stem Cell PhD students and recent graduates earn NIH fellowships

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Ten USC Stem Cell PhD students and recent graduates have been awarded fellowships from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Known as F31 awards, these prestigious fellowships provide promising PhD students with …

From left, Francesca Mariani, Dean Carolyn C. Meltzer, Helena Bugacov, Bohdana-Myroslava Briantseva, and Andy McMahon (Photo by Maritza Montalvo); featured image for The Keck School of Medicine of USC celebrates the graduates of the master’s, doctoral, and nurse anesthesia programs

The Keck School of Medicine of USC celebrates the graduates of the master’s, doctoral, and nurse anesthesia programs

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“I now declare commencement ceremonies for the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California open!” announced Francesca Mariani, associate professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, and integrative …

Francesca Mariani in her lab (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for Stem cell faculty member Francesca Mariani wins USC’s highest honor for outstanding teaching

Stem cell faculty member Francesca Mariani wins USC’s highest honor for outstanding teaching

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When Francesca Mariani learned that she would receive USC’s highest honor for outstanding teaching, a 2023 Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching, it took her by surprise. “Sometimes it feels mysterious as …

Professor Justin Ichida leads a class for USC's stem cell master's students (Photo by Chris Shinn)

Scholarships change lives in USC’s stem cell master’s program: Five students’ stories

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For one scholarship recipient in the master’s program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, USC is just close enough to his mother’s house to commute and save on rent. For another, …

Kuo-Chang (Ted) Tseng from the Crump Lab and Michelle Hung from the Ichida Lab enjoy a beachside brainstorm.; featured image for Scientists feel the sand between their toes at the retreat for USC’s stem cell department

Scientists feel the sand between their toes at the retreat for USC’s stem cell department

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A pair of young scientists picked up a piece of driftwood and thoughtfully traced a series of letters in the wet sand of Ventura Beach. The word “microglia”—referring to the immune cells …

Justin Ichida (left) and Zhongwei Li (Photos by Chris Shinn and courtesy of Zhongwei Li); featured image for USC Stem Cell scientists Justin Ichida and Zhongwei Li receive NIH Director’s Awards

USC Stem Cell scientists Justin Ichida and Zhongwei Li receive NIH Director’s Awards

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It’s hard to obtain research funding for safe ideas, and it’s even harder to find funding for risky ones. But thanks to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Awards, USC Stem …

Students in the teaching lab at USC's stem cell research center (Photo by Chris Shinn)

USC COMPASS undergraduate program points the way to stem cell careers

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To promote inclusive excellence in science, USC will be offering a new program for undergraduates from historically underrepresented backgrounds with an interest in studying stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Known as …

A cell showing the enzyme BirA*G3, which tags the proteins of the "secretome" (Image courtesy of the McMahon Lab)

This mouse can’t keep a secret about the “secretome”

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The “secretome” refers to proteins that are secreted by a cell, a tissue or an organism. In a new study published in Open Biology, USC Stem Cell scientist Andy McMahon and his …

Human cystic kidney organoid (Image by Cheng (Jack) Song/McMahon Lab); featured image for USC Stem Cell scientists use mini-kidney models to identify potential drugs for polycystic kidney disease

USC Stem Cell scientists use mini-kidney models to identify potential drugs for polycystic kidney disease

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In a new study in Cell Stem Cell, scientists from the USC laboratory of Andy McMahon generated simple kidney-like structures called organoids, and used them to identify potential drugs to treat adult-onset …

Clockwise from top left, Miao Cui, Yulia Shwartz, Olena Zhulyn, and Kyle McCracken; featured image for Stem cell scientists explore the mysteries of regeneration at the Junior Faculty Candidate Seminar and Symposium

Stem cell scientists explore the mysteries of regeneration at the Junior Faculty Candidate Seminar and Symposium

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How can we regenerate tissues that are damaged, lost or diseased in the human body? This was the central question driving the four scientists who presented their research at the Junior Faculty …

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Andrew P. McMahon, PhD, FRS