Research Overview
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-protein coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides. Our long-term research goal is to advance fundamental knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in regulating cell function and human diseases. We will decipher the hidden layer of biological complexity that can determine cellular responses, metabolism, cell fate, and diseases. We will:
- reveal the new molecular basis by which lncRNAs contribute to obesity, fatty liver, and atherosclerosis.
- shed new light on the role of lncRNA in regulating mitochondrial structure and function.
- identify the new regulators of angiogenesis.
The approaches employed in our study include systems biology, bioinformatics, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, next generation sequencing (RNA-seq), microarray, and mass spectrometry. We use both in vitro cell culture and in vivo knockout or transgenic mouse models for our research.
Research Interests
Project 1
Impaired endothelial homeostasis is a common feature of different diseases, including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and atherosclerosis, which accelerates the pathogenesis of these diseases. The role of lncRNAs in regulating these processes is not completely understood. The research program in my lab focuses on how metabolic stress affects healthy humans, particularly the role of lncRNA in the homeostasis of vascular endothelium in obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. My long-term goal is to improve our understanding of the connection between obesity, fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease risk, leading to the development of more effective therapies.
Project 2
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles, and their function is maintained through proper coordination of mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics (fission and fusion), and turnover (mitophagy). Alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function in ECs have been observed in obesity and diabetes, fatty liver, and atherosclerosis. We are particularly interested in the role of lncRNAs in regulating mitochondrial dynamics, turnover, and bioenergetics. We hope to identify new molecular basis by which lncRNAs control mitochondrial homeostasis in vascular endothelium in chronic metabolic diseases.
Project 3
The process by which new blood vessels are generated from preexisting vessels is known as angiogenesis. This project focuses on the mechanisms of angiogenesis that operate in diseases such as obesity and diabetes, particularly on the molecular basis of endothelial dysfunction. The goal of this project is to identify new regulators of angiogenesis through comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomic data using computational systems biology and epigenetic approaches. Molecular and cellular biology techniques, immunostaining and confocal imaging, and state-of-the-art technologies for protein-RNA interaction are used to further characterize the identified targets.