Education:

• B.S. Wuhan University, China
• Ph.D. Oregon Health Science University

Department: Pharmacology
Research Interests:

Neuropharmacology and Toxicology, Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemical Toxicology, Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Research Summary:

The overall goal of my research is to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms on neurohormonal action in heart and brain and the dysregulation of these mechanisms in heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. We focus on adrenergic receptors (ARs, a family of G-protein coupled receptors, GPCRs) and insulin receptor (IR) signaling network. Activation of beta AR/IR signaling cascades is involved in modulation of cardiovascular function and metabolism during exercise as well as “fight or flight” responses. Adrenergic and insulin signaling pathways also regulate memory and learning, and stress responses in the central nerve system. Dysfunction of receptor signaling pathways are linked to a variety of diseases including heart failure and Alzheimer's disease, and the receptors are the major therapeutic targets in a wide range of clinical conditions. We aim to use integrated approaches that include single molecule analysis, live-cell imaging, and transgenic animals to understand the fundamentals of adrenergic/IR signaling, and its roles in the pathogenesis of heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. We would like to identify novel therapeutic strategies and targets for drug screening and for treatment of these diseases. Thus far, our studies have provided new insight for treating heart failure and offer a novel therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

Highlighted Techniques:

TIRF, FRET, SiMPull (single molecular complex analysis), STORM (super-resolution imagings), Two-photon Confocal,Echocardiograph, hemodynamics, transgenic animals

Courses/Teaching:

• PTX 290
• MCIP 290
• MCB220L

Lab Members:

Postdoc: Federican Barbagallo, Qin Fu, Qian Shi, Ao Shen, Visiting Scholar: Yongming Liu, Tech: Dippal Parikh, Rita Xu, Undergrad: Sean Boyle, Kevin Ky

Lab Rotation Availability: yes
Funding Sources: NIH, AHA
PubMed listing