My research foci are mechano-transduction mechanisms by which cells sense and convert environmental mechanical stimuli into biological signaling and novel nanomedicine approaches that target dysregulated mechano-sensing pathways. Cellular mechanotransduction is instrumental to embryogenesis and physiological control of tissue homeostasis; abnormal cell responses to mechanical forces promote pathologies associated with numerous human diseases. This is especially important in the vasculature, where environmental mechanical stimuli produce cellular responses in endothelial cells at arterial curvatures and bifurcations by locally disturbed blood flow to induce atherosclerosis. A similar cascade appears to be induced in acute lung injury where it is the increased cyclic stretch that is the trigger. My research program at the University of Chicago focuses on the molecular understanding of endothelial homeostasis governed by mechanical forces, with emphasis upon regulation of non-coding genome, transcription factors, G protein signaling, and genetic variance. Another major research goal is to develop innovative nanomedicine-based therapeutic strategies to treat dysregulated mechano-sensing mechanisms causing vascular diseases.
Key Words: microRNA, non-coding RNA, human genetics, enhancer biology, vascular biology, nanotechnology, nanomedicine, mechanotransduction, atherosclerosis, acute lung injury
University of Pennsylvania
USA
Postdoctoral Fellow - Medicine and Engineering
2012
University of Pennsylvania
USA
PhD - Bioengineering
2006
University of Pennsylvania
USA
MS - Biotechnology
2002
National Taiwan University
Taiwan
BS - Microbiology & Plant Pathology
1999
A single-cell atlas reveals shared and distinct immune responses and metabolic profiles in SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 infections.
A single-cell atlas reveals shared and distinct immune responses and metabolic profiles in SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 infections. Front Genet. 2023; 14:1105673.
PMID: 36992700
A pleiotropic hypoxia-sensitive EPAS1 enhancer is disrupted by adaptive alleles in Tibetans.
A pleiotropic hypoxia-sensitive EPAS1 enhancer is disrupted by adaptive alleles in Tibetans. Sci Adv. 2022 Nov 25; 8(47):eade1942.
PMID: 36417539
Intermittent hypoxia inhibits epinephrine-induced transcriptional changes in human aortic endothelial cells.
Intermittent hypoxia inhibits epinephrine-induced transcriptional changes in human aortic endothelial cells. Sci Rep. 2022 10 13; 12(1):17167.
PMID: 36229484
Targeted polyelectrolyte complex micelles treat vascular complications in vivo.
Targeted polyelectrolyte complex micelles treat vascular complications in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 12 14; 118(50).
PMID: 34880134
Mechanical forces and metabolic changes cooperate to drive cellular memory and endothelial phenotypes.
Mechanical forces and metabolic changes cooperate to drive cellular memory and endothelial phenotypes. Curr Top Membr. 2021; 87:199-253.
PMID: 34696886
Single-cell lactate production rate as a measure of glycolysis in endothelial cells.
Single-cell lactate production rate as a measure of glycolysis in endothelial cells. STAR Protoc. 2021 09 17; 2(3):100807.
PMID: 34527962
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Associated with Reduced Krüppel-like Factor 2 in Human Lung Autopsy.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Associated with Reduced Krüppel-like Factor 2 in Human Lung Autopsy. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2021 08; 65(2):222-226.
PMID: 33971111
Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Activation of Endothelial Cells Is Mediated via Sympathetic Activation-Dependent Catecholamine Release.
Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Activation of Endothelial Cells Is Mediated via Sympathetic Activation-Dependent Catecholamine Release. Front Physiol. 2021; 12:701995.
PMID: 34322038
Endothelial Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator Mediates the Angiogenic Response to Peripheral Ischemia in Mice With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Endothelial Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator Mediates the Angiogenic Response to Peripheral Ischemia in Mice With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021; 9:691801.
PMID: 34179020
Single-cell metabolic imaging reveals a SLC2A3-dependent glycolytic burst in motile endothelial cells.
Single-cell metabolic imaging reveals a SLC2A3-dependent glycolytic burst in motile endothelial cells. Nat Metab. 2021 05; 3(5):714-727.
PMID: 34031595
Established Investigator Award
American Heart Association
2023
Elected Fellow
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
2023
Elected Fellow
American Heart Association
2023
NHLBI R35 award
National Institutes of Health
2022
B. Lowell Langille Vascular Biology Lectureship
University of Toronto
2020
Young Investigator Award (First Place)
CAAC-ATVB Symposium
2019
Leif B. Sorensen Faculty Research Award
University of Chicago
2018