Qinglin Yang's Research Laboratory
Research interests:

Research in Dr. Yang's lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure using techniques including cardiac specific transgenesis, molecular and cell biology, and cardiac pathophysiology. There are currently two major research programs in his laboratory. The first research area involves the generation and analyses of mouse models of Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC).

His lab focuses on studies on the regulatory role of cardiac MyBP-C, which is one of the important myofibril proteins, in determining cardiac contractile function. The second area of research in his lab focuses on exploring molecular mechanisms that underlie cardiac energy balance and cardiac function. Disturbances in the regulation of cardiac energy metabolism are associated with the pathogenesis of both inherited and acquired cardiomyopathies. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), members of the nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor superfamily, have been implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism in various tissues. His lab is studying the regulatory role of PPARd on cardiac energy metabolisms and cardiac contraction to establish links between the PPARd pathway, cardiac energy metabolism, contractile function and cardiomyopathy. Cultured cardiomyocytes, transgenic and gene targeting models are used for these studies.

Laboratory Techniques

There are four areas of technical strengths in our laboratory: 1) molecular biology including most of the routine DNA, RNA and protein techniques as well as yeast two hybrid screens; 2) development and characterization of animal models through transgenic approaches; 3) gene transfer using recombinant viral vectors; 4) Mouse cardiac physiology analyses in cell, organ and whole animal levels.

Selected Publications:

Cheng LH, Ding GL, Qin QH, Xiao Y, Woods D, Chen YE, Yang Q: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta activates acid oxidation in cultured neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004; 313(2);277-86.

Cheng LH, Ding LH, Qin QH, Huang Y, Lewis W, He N, Evans RM, Schneider MD, Brako LA, Woods D, Xiao Y, Chen EY, and Yang Q. Cardiomyocyte-restricted Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor d deletion perturbs myocardial fatty acid fatty acid oxidation and leads to cardiomyopathy. Nature Medicine 2004; 10 , 1245 – 1250.

Yang Q, Cheng LH: Molecular regulation of lipotoxicity in the heart (Invited review) Drug Discovery Today: Disease mechanisms.2005; 2(1), 101-107.

Peng X, Kraus MS, Wei HJ, Shen TL, Pariaut R, Alcaraz A, Ji G, Cheng LH, Yang Q, Kotlikoff MI, Chen J, Chien K, Gu H and Guan JL: Inactivation of focal adhesion kinase in cardiomyocytes promotes cardiac eccentric hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2006;116(1):217-227.

Ding G, Cheng LH, Qin QH, Frontin SE, Yang Q: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor d inhibits cardiac TNF a expression in response to inflammatory stimuli. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 2006; 40(6):821-8.

Current Research Project Funding Awards

NIH/NIGMS-MBRS subproject (S06GM08248): (Subproject leader: Qinglin Yang): Roles of PPARdelta in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

1R01HL085499-01 (PI: Qinglin Yang): PPAR g signaling pathway in cardiac hypertrophy and failure

1 R01 HL079867-01A2 (PI: William Lewis): Acquired mtDNA depletion and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Scientist Development Award ( 0430265N) AHA National Center (PI: Qinglin Yang): Function of Myosin Binding Protein C in Heart

Research Positions Available

Postdoctoral positions are available in this lab. Candidates should possess a PhD or MD/PhD and have a strong background in molecular biology and/or experience in cell biology and cardiovascular pathophysiology research.

Please send curriculum vitae and names of three references, preferably by e-mail or FAX, to: Dr. Q Yang, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. E-mail: qyang@msm.edu; Fax: 404-752-1042; Phone: 404-756-5056.