I started my research career with a dream of discovering a new drug. I majored in Pharmacy for undergraduate program and was trained in biomaterials/nanotechnology/gene delivery system for my PhD. From post-doc training I switched my research focus to cellular biology, aiming to discover novel therapeutic targets. Recently I reported our discovery and studies on a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that we named INKILN. The fact that INKILN is highly selectively expressed in the diseased vessel wall but virtually undetectable in any healthy vessel or any other healthy tissue, is very intriguing. In my opinion, it can serve as an ideal therapeutic target: its specific inhibitor (if there is any) or the antisense oligonucleotides will only be functioning in the diseased vessels. This will minimize the off-targeting or side effects when it is administered systemically.
Research Interests
Wall Disorders and Diseases
A disorder in the vascular wall can lead to a devastating outcome. Restenosis, aneurysm dissection, and an unstable atherosclerotic plaque may cause stroke, ischemia, and heart attack. Mural cells, in particular vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis and progression of vascular diseases. In an arterial or venous wall healthy or diseased, VSMCs are the major cellular components. Distinctly, while VSMCs are homogenous and well-organized in the healthy wall, heterogenous and disordered are in the diseased ones. Proliferation, migration and transdifferentiation of VSMCs contribute to the wall thickening. This can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the context.We aim to understand a precise regulation and mechanism in VSMC phenotypic change and more importantly how this would contribute to vascular pathology.
Animal Models
In a combination of genetic, surgical, and dietary approaches, rodent models for major vascular diseases such as restenosis, aneurysm and atherosclerosis are well-established in our lab. To investigate the in vivo function of a specific gene, conditional/inducible knockout mice or humanized transgenic mice are available in the lab. To investigate the plasticity and fate of VSMCs during pathogenesis, we have the lineage-tracing mouse models. Soon we are going to utilize cellular function reporter animals, such as cell cycle reporter and senescence reporter mice.
From single gene to single cell
Traditionally, one gene named as the key regulator is the focus of a project or a lab. This gene was measured on the level of bulk, reflecting its overall change in the tissue of interest. Being aware of the heterogeneity among individual cells, and thanks to the development of technologies, we now can study on a single-cell level the transcriptome and proteome of each cell. This will set a stage for us to understand in a more precise way the regulation of a gene or a cellular event, which is highly context- and environment-dependent. This will also help us to understand the mechanism of disease initiation and progression in a “high resolution”.
Education
- BSc in Pharmacy - Sun Yat-Sen University
- PhD in Biomedical Engineering - Sun Yat-Sen University
Memberships
- AHA professional membership
- NAVBO membership
Honors and Awards
- 2023 AHA Transformational Project Award
- 2023 AHA’s Second Century Early Faculty Independence Award
- 2023 Award from Augusta University Intramural Grants Program
- 2023 ATVB Travel Grant for Early Career Investigators
- 2018 AHA Career Development Award