Duan Lab

We are investigating molecular mechanisms governing cell cycle plasticity. We have developed a zebrafish model, in which a population of differentiated epithelial cells can be induced to reenter the cell cycle and proliferate in response to stress. Using this whole animal platform and culture of human cells, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, in vivo imaging, chemical biology, and RNA-seq analyses have led to the discovery of a number of key regulators governing cell cycle plasticity. Many of them are converged onto the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS)-PI3 kinase-Akt-Tor signaling pathway. We also contribute to advancing the understanding of hypoxia and HIF biology.