Yuet W. Kan, MD

Kan was the first to establish DNA mutations in the thalassemia syndromes, and to diagnose human disease using DNA tests. He discovered DNA polymorphism, which is now extensively used for genetic analysis. His current research is focused on the use of gene and cell therapy to treat sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. His aim is to develop patient-specific stem cell lines using embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Kan is the Louis K. Diamond Professor of Hematology at UCSF. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.