Research output per year
Research output per year
Prof
Being a previous Cardiologist, my research interest is in the molecular basis of cardiovascular diseases, focusing on genetic small vessel diseases (SVD) and the functions of the causative genes such as NOTCH3, COL4A1/A2, TREX1, in cardiovascular system. We utilise patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as model system to study a range of genetic SVD in order to understand molecular mechanisms of the conditions, and identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could be generalised to the more common and sporadic form of SVD. We are particularly interested in understanding how cerebral vascular pathologies lead to the neurodegeneration and vascular dementia by interrogating interactions between different iPSC-derived vascular and neuronal cell types that form the neurovascular unit (NVU) in the brain. My group is also interested in stem cell related vascular tissue engineering and nano-medicine/nano-targeting.
2018 - Now Professor of Molecular Medicine
2014 – 2018 Senior Lecturer, The University of Manchester
2003 – 2013 Lecturer/Research Fellow, The University of Manchester
2001 – 2003 Postdoc, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge
1992 - 2001 Postdoc, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge
1986 – 1992 Physician Cardiologist, the 3rd Hospital of Peking University
1988 – 2001 PhD, the 3rd Hospital of Peking University Health Science Centre
1981 – 1986 Medical student, China Medical University
Research Interests:
iPSC model of genetic cardiovascular and cerebral vascular conditions
Small vessel diseases are among the key risk factors contributing to cognitive defects of the brain, leading to vascular dementia that has been recognised as the second leading form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for such conditions are largely under investigated. The most common type of genetic stroke syndrome CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy), caused by NOTCH3 gene mutation, is a typical small vassal disease and provides a valuable model to explore the pathogenesis of vascular dementia. CADASIL is a systemic vascular condition, but has a brain-specific clinical manifestation, suggesting a defect in neurovascular coupling. The communications between vascular cells and neuronal cells happen within the neurovascular unit (NVU) in the brain through either physical contacts or releasing trophic factors. We use the patient-specific iPSC model in conjuction with genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9) to explore functional interactions between neurovascular cells, identify therapeutic targets and conduct drug screen for future treatment of vascular dementia.
Notch signalling in cardiovascular function and diseases
Notch signalling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that transduces signals between adjacent cells. Notch signalling determines cell fate during embryonic development and are also important in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in the adult life. Dysregulation of Notch signalling leads to a diverse range of human diseases from cancer to cardiovascular disorders. We are using molecular biology and cell biology tools including high throughput screening to study the role of Notch signalling in cardiovascular and cerebral vascular cells including their differentiation from stem cells, and explore small molecules that could manipulate the signalling in order to achieve targeted treatment for related diseases.
Vascular engineering
In conjunction with the iPSC research and utilising state-of-art material technologies, we are producing functionalised vascular scaffold that could accommodate patient-specific iPSC-derived vascular cells, in order to create personalised vascular grafts to be used for future regenerative therapy, or as a tissue model for the study of molecular mechanisms of genetic vascular diseases and drug targets.
Nanomedicine
Nanotechnologies are transforming the capabilities of medical diagnosis and treatments. We are currently producing and functionalising biodegradable nanoparticles to explore their potential for targeted therapy. We also study the molecular mechanisms of the antimicrobial functions of the laser produced novel metal nanoparticles.
Source of funding:
Programme Director: Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counselling (International)
Course Director: Fundamentals of Human Genetics. For MSc and STP programmes in Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling.
Teaching: Human Genetics and Evolution (BIOL 31402). For the 3rd year undergraduate students in Faculty of Life Sciences.
Current laboratory members:
Collaborators:
Alumni:
1986 MBChB, China Medical University
1991 PhD, Peking University Health Science Centre
2017 SFHEA (Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK)
2021 FRSB (Fellow of Royal Society of Biology)
2022 FRSM (Fellow of Royal Society of Medicine)
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Guest Professor, Peking University
Jan 2018 → …
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review