| Qisheng Zhang Lab |
Qisheng
Zhang
Assistant Professor |
Office |
Phone
Fax
Email |
Document Actions
Our lab is interested in identifying functional small molecules from synthetic and endogenous chemical libraries and studying how these molecules regulate disease-related cell signaling. Other than traditional methods in chemical synthesis, molecular and cell biology and the emerging technique of high throughput screening, we also develop new techniques of tag-based biosynthesis and enzyme profiling, as well as small molecule array, to facilitate research. Currently, we are working on the following three projects:
1) Chemical approaches to probe Phosphatidylinositide-regulated cellular processes. Phosphatidylinositides (PIs) are a family of anchoring lipids with different combinations of phosphate groups around the inositol ring. Due to their functions of membrane recruitment and activation of downstream effector proteins, PIs are among the most versatile endogenous regulatory small molecules. Dys-regulation of PI signaling has been implicated in diseases such as Low syndrome, cancer, and myotubular myopathy. We are generating an array of natural and unnatural PIs to systematically identify PI-interacting proteins for novel drug target discovery and disease diagnosis. In addition, we are developing small molecules that inhibit enzymes that control PI metabolism.
2) Developing small molecule ARFGAP inhibitors to dissect cell signaling. GTPase-activating proteins for the ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFGAPs) play important roles in many biological processes, including vesicle trafficking and cytoskeleton reorganization. Recently, we identified a small molecule ARFGAP inhibitor from a high throughput chemical screen. We are exploring the functions and mode of actions of this molecule in membrane trafficking, cell migration, and neurite outgrowth.
3) Cellular epigenetic status controlled by DNA demethylation and histone methylation. Changes in Cellular epigenetic status are essential for cellular differentiation and reprogramming, and thus regenerative medicine. We are developing methods to profile DNA demethylation and develop small molecules that inhibit histone methyltransferases.
Click here for Dr. Zhang's biosketch.