|
|
X.F.
Steven Zheng |
|
Keywords |
Growth Control, Signal Transduction, Tumorigenesis, Chemical Genetics and Genomics, Drug Discovery
| Research |
Growth is the process whereby cells accumulate mass, which determines the sizes of cells, organs and organisms. Deregulation of growth is directly linked to a wide array of human diseases from aging, diabetes to cancer. We are interested in understanding the basic signaling mechanisms by which cell growth is regulated and their roles in human diseases. A major focus of my laboratory is on the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein, a highly conserved phosphatidylinositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK). Emerging evidence indicates that TOR is a central controller of eukaryotic growth in response to growth factors, nutrients and stress conditions. Rapamycin and its analogs (CCI-779 and RAD001) are highly specific inhibitors of TOR and FDA-approved drugs for prevention of graft rejection after organ transplantation and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Additionally, these compounds are under advanced clinical trials for cancer treatment. We are currently focused on three aspects of TOR signal transduction: (1) Spatial and temporal arrangements of TOR signaling; (2) TOR regulation of transcription and chromatin structures; (3) Characterization of TOR signaling network using combined chemical genomic, genetic and cell biological approaches.
Small bioactive molecules (SBMs) that bind directly to proteins are used to alter protein functions. These chemical genetic strategies enable the dissection of cellular pathways in mammalian cells and model organisms, which are otherwise difficult or not amenable to such systematic analyses. SBMs may be further developed into effective therapeutics against various human illnesses. We are interested in developing SBMs against important cell regulatory proteins. We intend to use the SBMs to study cellular functions and for drug development.
| News |
| People |
Principal Investigator:
X.F. Steven Zheng, Ph.D., Harvard University
zhengst@umdnj.edu
Post-doctoral
Researchers:
Hong Li, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences
lih5@umdnj.edu
Hui Liu, Ph.D., University of Arizona
liuh4@umdnj.edu
Xiangyu Liu, Ph.D., Purdue University
liux5@umdnj.edu
ChiKwan Calvin Tsang, Ph.D., Kogashima University
tsangch@umdnj.edu
Graduate
Students:
Yu-Ju Chen, M.S., National Yang Ming University
cheny7@umdnj.edu
Jun-Hung Cho, M.S., National Tsing Hua University
choju@umdnj.edu
Ming-Feng
Lin, M.S., National Yang Ming University
linml@umdnj.edu
Yuehua Wei, M.S., Chinese Academy of Sciences
weiyu@umdnj.edu
| Positions Available |
For availability of post-doctoral and graduate student positions, please contact Dr. Steven Zheng (zhengst@umdnj.edu)
|
Selected Publications |
