Research Projects

 Our lab has two research interests:

  •  Understanding the molecular basis of mammalian fertilization and early embryonic development

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                                                                A model of egg-sperm interaction

  • Understanding the molecular basis of human cancer

               Elevated expression of a PIWI-like protein in mitotic cancer cells

               Left panel: DAPI staining for DNA; Right panel: Green immunofluorescent staining for PIWIL4 

Project 1: function and action mechanism of PITX2 in development and disease

Pituitary homeobox 2 (PITX2), a Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor and a known downstream effector of β-catenin signaling, has been shown to play substantial roles in the development of multiple organs, including the heart, lung, eye, tooth, and pituitary gland. Nonetheless, the mechanism by which PITX2 influences cell cycle progression and cell fate specification remains to be defined. Cell culture, transfection, gene silence, among other traditional techniques in molecular and cellular biology, are employed in this research.

Project 2: molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis

Mammalian gametogenesis is a highly ordered, precisely orchestrated developmental process in which germ cells undergo self-renewal, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. The final products of this process are functional gamete cells, sperm and egg. We utilize a broad spectrum of approaches in this research, such as gene knockout and microscopic imaging. The genes we are looking at now are Ptchd3, Pten and Ptip. 

Project 3: molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg membrane binding and fusion

At a critical moment of mammalian fertilization, the plasma membranes of sperm and egg bind and fuse together to initiate the development of a new organism. The molecular mechanisms underlying this fascinating process, however, are still elusive. For this study, we employ a variety of approaches in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and pharmacology, e.g., in vitro fertilization assay, microinjection and RNA interference.

Project 4: stem cell proteins PIWILs in human cancer

Stem cells are immature, unspecialized cells that are capable of renewing themselves and of undergoing differentiation into one or more specialized cell types. There are diverse types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, germ-line stem cells, and cancer stem cells. Piwi family proteins are mainly expressed in germ-line stem cells, and thus are considered as stem cell proteins. It is thought that some human cancers are derived from cancer stem cells and, therefore, may express one or more stem cell proteins. We have recently initiated a study to evaluate Piwi-like (PIWIL) proteins as potential human cancer biomarkers.