Zhang (Chun-Li) Lab

Research

Zhang (Chun-Li) Lab research focuses on cellular plasticity in the adult nervous system and modeling human neurodegenerative diseases. We use cell culture and genetically modified mice as model systems. Molecular, cellular, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods are employed.

    Genetic and epigenetic regulation of neurodegeneration and regeneration

    In vivo reprogramming of resident glial cells for regeneration.

    Irreversible neuron loss is a major cause of the devastating effects that lead to morbidity and mortality after trauma, stroke, or neurodegenerative conditions. The region-restricted localization of endogenous neurogenic NSCs render them inadequate for repair of the damaged network. In contrast to neuron loss, resident glial cells, which are very abundant and ubiquitously distributed in the nervous system, become reactive and proliferate surrounding the damaged regions. Reprogramming some of these glial cells into local neurons may promote regeneration by creating a beneficial environment and forming new circuits between induced and surviving neurons. Our studies revealed that resident glial cells can be sequentially reprogramed into neural progenitors, neuroblasts, and mature neurons in the adult brain and spinal cord after injury.

    In Vivo Reprogramming

    Human patient-specific neurons will be crucial for understanding adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human skin fibroblasts and their differentiation into subtype-specific neurons are emerging as a cellular model for investigating these diseases. However, iPSCs and the differentiated neurons are reset to an embryonic stage during reprogramming. These embryonic or young neurons are inappropriate for modeling adult-onset neurological diseases. We have established a direct reprogramming approach by converting adult human skin fibroblasts to highly pure subtype-specific neurons without passing a stem cell stage. These neurons maintain aging features of their parental fibroblasts and are therefore ideal for modeling adult-onset neurodegeneration. Using this unique cell model, research efforts are on understanding disease mechanism, therapeutic drug identification and validation.

    Modeling human neurodegenerative diseases

    Meet the Principal Investigator

    Chun-Li Zhang, Ph.D.

    Chun-Li Zhang, Ph.D.

    Professor

    Endowed Title: W.W. Caruth, Jr. Scholar in Biomedical Research

    Department: Molecular Biology

    Graduate Programs: Genetics, Development and Disease, Neuroscience

    Meet the Team

      Pamela Jackson

      Administrative Assistant

      Pamela Jackson

      Yuhua Zou, M.Sc.

      Research Scientist
      M.Sc. at UT Dallas, TX

      Yuhua Zou, M.Sc.

      Yunjia Zhang, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Institute of Physics, China

      Yunjia Zhang, Ph.D.

      Xiaoling Zhong, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Wuhan University, China

      Xiaoling Zhong, Ph.D.

      Sergio Cananzi, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Louisiana State University Health Science Center, LA

      Sergio Cananzi, Ph.D.

      Tianjin Shen, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

      Tianjin Shen, Ph.D.

      Shuaipeng Ma, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Peking University, China

      Shuaipeng Ma, Ph.D.

      Lei-Lei Wang, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Wuhan University, China

      Lei-Lei Wang, Ph.D.

      Wenjiao Tai, M.D., Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, China

      Wenjiao Tai, M.D., Ph.D.

      Anupam Raina, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D., Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany

      Anupam Raina, Ph.D.

      Carolina Garcia, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D., Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico

      Carolina Garcia, Ph.D.

      Wenjiao Tai, M.D., Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow
      Ph.D. at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, China

      Wenjiao Tai, M.D., Ph.D.

      Ying Yu, M.D., Ph.D.

      Physician, Wuhan University, China

      Ying Yu, M.D., Ph.D.

      Sishi Pan, M.D., Ph.D.

      Physician, Wenzhou Medical University, China

      Sishi Pan, M.D., Ph.D.

      Meng-Lu Liu, Ph.D.

      Professor, Ningbo University, China

      Meng-Lu Liu, Ph.D.

      Saidan Ding, Ph.D.

      Senior Investigator, Wenzhou Medical University, China

      Saidan Ding, Ph.D.

      Haoqi Ni, M.D., Ph.D.

      Neurosurgeon, Wenzhou Medical University, China

      Haoqi Ni, M.D., Ph.D.

      Tong Zang, Ph.D.

      General Manager InGod Limited, TX

      Tong Zang, Ph.D.

      Jianjing Yang, M.D./Ph.D.

      Neurosurgeon Wenzhou Medical University, China

      Jianjing Yang, M.D./Ph.D.

      Yu Tang, Ph.D.

      Associate Professor Central South University, China

      Yu Tang, Ph.D.

      Baojin Ding, M.D./Ph.D.

      Assistant Professor University of Louisiana

      Baojin Ding, M.D./Ph.D.

      Chunhai Chen, Ph.D./M.D.

      Associate Professor Third Military Medical University, China

      Chunhai Chen, Ph.D./M.D.

      Jiahong Sun, Ph.D.

      Assistant Professor Zhongshan University, China

      Jiahong Sun, Ph.D.

      Amel Ahmed, M.D./Ph.D.

      Lecturer Assiut University, Egypt

      Amel Ahmed, M.D./Ph.D.

      Derek Smith, Ph.D.

      Postdoctoral Fellow Genentech, CA

      Derek Smith, Ph.D.

      Wenze Niu, Ph.D.

      Medical Student, CA

      Wenze Niu, Ph.D.

      Song Qin, Ph.D.

      Professor Fudan University, China

      Song Qin, Ph.D.

      Zhida Su, M.D., Ph.D.

      Professor Second Military Medical University, China

      Zhida Su, M.D., Ph.D.

      Mohammed Islam, Ph.D.

      Assistant Professor King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

      Mohammed Islam, Ph.D.

      Jie Mei, Ph.D.

      Professor Huazhong Agriculture University, China

      Jie Mei, Ph.D.

      Featured Publications

      For a complete list of Dr. Zhang's published work, please visit his bibliography page at the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

      Chun-Li Zhang, Ph.D. Bibliography

      Lab News

      Oct 2018

      Stem Cell Reports Study Featured in Article

      Zhang Lab study published in Stem Cell Reports is highlighted in ScienMag Science Magazine.

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      Nov 2017

      Zhang Lab Research Highlight

      Zhang Lab research highlighted in article "Selectively deleting stem cell factor promotes recovery after TBI in mice" from News-Medical.net

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      Oct 2016

      Researchers Boost Regeneration of Spinal Nerve Cells

      Zhang Lab featured in Breitbart News article, "Researchers boost regeneration of spinal nerve cells".

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      Feb 2016

      Zhang Lab Research in Article from ResearchAls.org

      Research by Zhang Lab is featured in the article, "Induced Motor Neurons May Provide New Insights on the Role of Cellular Aging in ALS" from ResearchAls.org

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      Jan 2016

      Zhang Lab featured in ALSNewsToday.com

      Research by Meng-Lu Liu, Ph.D., and the Zhang Lab is featured in the article "Dysfunctional ALS Patient Skin-Derived Muscle Neurons Rescued by Kenpaullone" from ALSNewsToday.com

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      Dec 2014

      Zhang Lab featured in The Scientist Magazine

      The Zhang Lab was featured in the article "2014's Big Advances in Science" from The Scientist Magazine.

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      Apr 2014

      Proof of Principle for Reprogramming Cells

      The Zhang Lab is featured in the article "Proof of Principle for Reprogramming Cells to Repair a Damaged Spinal Cord" from Neurology Today.

      View Article

      Contact Us

      Chun-Li Zhang, Ph.D.
      Dept. of Molecular Biology
      UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
      6000 Harry Hines Blvd.
      Dallas, TX 75390-9148

      Email 
      ph. (214) 648-1670 (office)
      (214) 648-4946 (lab)
      fx. (214) 648-1488

       

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