Given their pivotal role in tissue homeostasis and regenerative medicine, somatic/adult stem cells are of tremendous interest to both biomedical research field and the public. Skin and its appendages provide a protective barrier that keeps harmful microbes out and essential body fluids in. To perform these functions while confronting the physicochemical traumas from the outside world, human skin must undergo rejuvenation through homeostasis and wound repair. Both processes rely on the essential activities of skin somatic stem cells, including the activation and migration of epidermal stem cells upon wounding, as well as the delicate balance of epidermal stem cell proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation during tissue homeostasis. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is important, because dysregulation of these processes leads to many skin diseases including cancers. Research in my laboratory is dedicated to understanding the dynamics, signaling, and clinical applications of epidermal stem cells. Particularly, we are interested in three fundamental questions in this field: 1) regenerative medicine and tissue engineering with epidermal stem cells; 2) migration and cytoskeletal dynamics of epidermal stem/progenitor cells; and 3) molecular mechanisms controlling stemness and differentiation of epidermal stem cells.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Ph.D. - Pharmacology
2006
Nanjing University
Nanjing, China
MS - Molecular Biology
2000
Nanjing University
Nanjing, China
BS - Biochemistry
1997
Ethanol exposure impaired mitotic division in apical radial glial cells and disrupted early cortical development in human forebrain organoids: Implications for ethanol-induced microcephaly.
Ethanol exposure impaired mitotic division in apical radial glial cells and disrupted early cortical development in human forebrain organoids: Implications for ethanol-induced microcephaly. Toxicology. 2025 Nov; 517:154244.
PMID: 40729939
VAMP2 controls murine epidermal differentiation and carcinogenesis by regulation of nucleophagy.
VAMP2 controls murine epidermal differentiation and carcinogenesis by regulation of nucleophagy. Dev Cell. 2024 08 05; 59(15):2005-2016.e4.
PMID: 38810653
A pulsatile release platform based on photo-induced imine-crosslinking hydrogel promotes scarless wound healing.
A pulsatile release platform based on photo-induced imine-crosslinking hydrogel promotes scarless wound healing. Nat Commun. 2021 03 15; 12(1):1670.
PMID: 33723267
Reducing alcohol and/or cocaine-induced reward and toxicity via an epidermal stem cell-based gene delivery platform.
Reducing alcohol and/or cocaine-induced reward and toxicity via an epidermal stem cell-based gene delivery platform. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 09; 26(9):5266-5276.
PMID: 33619338
Genome-edited skin epidermal stem cells protect mice from cocaine-seeking behaviour and cocaine overdose.
Genome-edited skin epidermal stem cells protect mice from cocaine-seeking behaviour and cocaine overdose. Nat Biomed Eng. 2019 Feb; 3(2):105-113.
PMID: 30899600
Epidermal Stem Cells in Skin Wound Healing.
Epidermal Stem Cells in Skin Wound Healing. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2017 Sep 01; 6(9):297-307.
PMID: 28894637
Engineered Epidermal Progenitor Cells Can Correct Diet-Induced Obesity and Diabetes.
Engineered Epidermal Progenitor Cells Can Correct Diet-Induced Obesity and Diabetes. Cell Stem Cell. 2017 08 03; 21(2):256-263.e4.
PMID: 28777946
Spectraplakin family proteins - cytoskeletal crosslinkers with versatile roles.
Spectraplakin family proteins - cytoskeletal crosslinkers with versatile roles. J Cell Sci. 2017 Aug 01; 130(15):2447-2457.
PMID: 28679697
Molecular and cytoskeletal regulations in epidermal development.
Molecular and cytoskeletal regulations in epidermal development. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2017 09; 69:18-25.
PMID: 28577925
ACF7 regulates inflammatory colitis and intestinal wound response by orchestrating tight junction dynamics.
ACF7 regulates inflammatory colitis and intestinal wound response by orchestrating tight junction dynamics. Nat Commun. 2017 05 25; 8:15375.
PMID: 28541346
V scholar award, the V foundation
2012
ACS (American Cancer Society) research scholar award
2012
The Cancer Research Foundation Young Investigator Award
2011
The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research
2008
AACR-Anna D Barker Fellowship in Basic Cancer Research
2007