Project 1: Molecular control of organ regeneration in development and evolution
Guo Huang, Professor
UC San Francisco
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
As shown in our recent publication (Hirose*, Payumo*, et al Science 2019), we aim to understand the divergent regenerative potential in ontogeny and phylogeny. For example, heart regeneration is remarkably robust in adult zebrafish and newborn mice while very limited in adult mammals. We use the heart as a model system and an entry point to study organ regeneration and repair in adult zebrafish, neonatal and adult mice, with an emphasis on the pathways that regulate resident stem cell activation and mature cell dedifferentiation/proliferation, and with innovative and integrated approaches in engineering, single cell analysis, advanced imaging microscopy and genome manipulation technology.
Specific questions include:
1. How does the heart regenerate in newborn mice and adult zebrafish?
2. What triggers the loss of cardiac regenerative potential in the mammalian postnatal life?
3. Can we reactivate regenerative potentials in adult mammalian hearts, and if so, how?
4. Are there species in higher vertebrates with extraordinary yet previously unknown tissue regenerative capacity?
5. Are there any human conditions or diseases that may result in preservation of cardiac regenerative potential? If so, how?
Our research will shed lights on the fundamental principle governing organ regeneration in development and evolution, and may suggest novel approaches of regenerative medicine.
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Publications from previous URAP students [name]:
1. Hirose, K.*, Payumo, A. Y.*, Cutie, S., [Hoang, A.], et al., and Huang, G. N. (*, equal contribution) (2019 Apr) Evidence for hormonal control of heart regenerative capacity during endothermy acquisition. Science
2. Cutie, S., [Hoang, A. T.], Payumo, A. Y., and Huang, G. N. (2017 Dec) Unconventional functions of muscles in planarian regeneration. Developmental Cell
3. Hirose, K., [Chang, S.], et al., and Huang, G. N. (Submitted) Loss of a novel striated muscle-enriched mitochondrial protein Coq10a enhances postnatal cardiac hypertrophic growth.
4. [Amram, A.], Cutie, S., and Huang, G. N. (2021 Jan) Hormonal control of cardiac regenerative potential. Endocrine Connections
5. [Khyeam, S.], [Lee, S.], and Huang, G. N. (2021 May) Genetic, epigenetic, and postâtranscriptional basis of divergent tissue regenerative capacities among vertebrates. Advanced Genetics, e10042
6. Payumo, A. Y.*, Chen, X.*, Hirose, K., Chen, X., Hoang, A., [Khyeam, S.], Yu, H., Wang, J., Chen, Q., [Powers, N.], Chen, L., Bigley, R. B., Lovas, J., Hu, G., and Huang, G. N. (*, equal contribution) (2021 Sep) Adrenergic-thyroid hormone interactions drive postnatal thermogenesis and loss of mammalian heart regenerative capacity. Circulation
7. [Amram AV], Cutie S, Huang GN. (2021 Jan) Hormonal control of cardiac regenerative potential. Endocr Connect.
8. [Khyeam S], [Lee S], Huang GN. (2021 Jun) Genetic, Epigenetic, and Post-Transcriptional Basis of Divergent Tissue Regenerative Capacities Among Vertebrates. Adv Genetics.
9. [Powers N], Huang GN. (2022 May) Mending a broken heart with novel cardiogenic small molecules. Cell Regeneration
10. [Powers N], Huang GN. (2022 May) Visualization of regenerating and repairing hearts. Clin Sci.
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Please include in the application
(1) your career plan,
(2) daily schedule of committed hours to perform research in the lab (please exclude the commute time),
(3) prior research experience if any,
(4) a link to your LinkedIn profile (with your head photo),
(5) (optional) experience of photography, painting or related experience that demonstrates strong visual artistic senses if any,
(6) (optional) experience that demonstrates strong hand skills if any,
(7) (optional) a one-sentence description if you are from diverse backgrounds in but not limited to ethnicity, sexual orientation, and geography (including international students with F1 visa).
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Role: Candidates will work with postdoctoral fellows and staff researchers in the lab. Students will also have the opportunity to engage directly with the professor.
Potential techniques and experience acquired during the training include:
- Advanced imaging microscopy on live or fixed tissues and animals;
- Molecular cloning and genome editing using the CRISPR technology;
- Mammalian and zebrafish cell culture;
- Mice and zebrafish husbandry, genotyping, and injury/regeneration models.
Qualifications: This position is open to all who are highly motivated and very organized.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Xiaoxin Chen, Post-Doc
Hours: 12 or more hours
Off-Campus Research Site: 555 Mission Bay Blvd S, San Francisco, CA 94158
Related website: http://www.cvri.ucsf.edu/~huang/lab/Research.html
Biological & Health Sciences