James Olzmann

Research Bio

The Olzmann research group employs a combination of systems biology, chemical biology, and cell biology strategies to elucidate the principles that regulate cellular lipid homeostasis. They have made several important advances in our understanding of the regulation and functions of neutral lipid storage organelles called lipid droplets. Dysregulation of lipid droplets and lipid metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including prevalent metabolic diseases (e.g. obesity and fatty liver disease) and cancer. In addition, they have also made key discoveries of cellular mechanisms that prevent lipotoxic damage in cancer, such as the accumulation of oxidatively damaged phospholipids during a regulated cell death process called ferroptosis. Current research in the Olzmann lab aims to leverage these findings to develop new therapeutics to treat therapy-resistant forms of cancer. 

Research Expertise and Interest

lipid droplet, lipotoxicity, ferroptosis, ubiquitin, proteasome, ER protein quality control, metabolism, cancer, drug resistance, metabolic disease

In the News

2025 MTI Innovator Awardees Announced

As federal research funding faces growing uncertainty, the Molecular Therapeutics Initiative (MTI) at UC Berkeley is stepping up to support bold scientific innovation.

Bakar Fellows Program Names Seven New Spark Award Recipients

From artificial ligaments and a novel approach to cancer treatment to “soft” batteries and a way to give voice to silent speech, new innovations from UC Berkeley faculty are getting a big vote of support from the Bakar Fellows program. Seven faculty members have been selected to receive the 2022 Bakar Fellows Spark Award, which is designed to accelerate faculty-led research and produce tangible, positive societal impact through commercialization.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent semesters
2026 Spring 2025 Fall 2025 Spring

For additional information, please consult the UC Berkeley course schedule.