Mentor Areas
The Yang Lab at the Perelman School of Medicine studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms that protect against cancer and neurodegeneration. Our current projects focus on two areas: (1) the tumor suppressor p53 and tumor cell metabolism, and (2) protein quality control (PQC) and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Description:
Cancer, which encompasses over 100 diseases that occur in most cell types and organs of the human body, remains a leading cause of death in the US and the world. The relentless and autologous cell proliferation that characterizes cancer is normally prevented by an elaborate tumor suppressive network. A central hub of this network is the preeminent tumor suppressor p53, whose mutations are the single most common genetic lesion in human tumors. We are investigating the functions and regulation of p53. Our recent results revealed an important role for p53 in modulating metabolic pathways that are crucial for cell proliferation. We are continuing to investigate the function of p53 as both a sentinel and a regulator for metabolic activities. Moreover, we are studying metabolic alterations that drive tumor initiation and progression.
Neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent as the human population ages. They are highly debilitating and inevitably fatal, yet remain incurable. These diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), and polyglutamine diseases, are associated with misfolding and aggregation of proteins in the central nervous system, which ultimately leads to neuronal cell death. PQC systems are critically important in contending with protein misfolding and aggregation. However, these systems, especially those in animal cells, are still poorly understood. Our lab recently identified a novel PQC system in animal cells that is multifunctional, powerful, and mechanistically distinct from canonical PQC systems. We are investigating the mechanism of action of this system and its role in aging and various neurodegenerative diseases.
Our experimental strategies include molecular, biochemical, and cell biology techniques, genomic analysis, metabolic analysis, cell and animal models of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and human patient samples. Undergraduate students will be able to work closely with postdoctoral fellows or senior PhD students in one of these two areas.
Projects will vary. Interested students should contact Dr. Yang to discuss potential projects.
Preferred Qualifications
No specific qualifications.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.