David Schaffer

David Schaffer is a Professor of Molecular Therapeutics at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of BIO. His research program integrates biology and engineering to explore stem cells and therapeutic gene delivery, focusing on cell and gene replacement strategies for treating human disease. Schaffer's work examines the roles of stem cells in development and tissue function, as well as challenges in gene therapy, particularly in optimizing viral vectors like adeno-associated virus (AAV) for clinical applications. His research also investigates how biophysical and biochemical signals regulate stem cell behavior and how synthetic materials can mimic natural tissue environments to enhance stem cell function. Schaffer's laboratory has developed novel approaches, including directed evolution and optogenetic tools, to improve gene delivery and stem cell control.

David Schaffer is a Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, and Neuroscience at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on stem cells and gene therapy, with an emphasis on developing advanced gene delivery vectors and understanding the biophysical regulation of stem cell behavior. Schaffer's work explores the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) for therapeutic applications, including retinal gene delivery and neural stem cell differentiation. His research also investigates the influence of substrate modulus on stem cell proliferation and the role of signaling pathways in neural progenitor regulation. Schaffer's contributions span both fundamental biological mechanisms and translational applications in gene therapy.