The Lu Lab studies gene regulation that dictates cell fates and states in development and diseases. We are particularly interested in understanding the function of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in regulating post-transcriptional mechanisms in the cardiovascular systems. Using mouse genetics and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) as models, we apply various cutting-edge molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches to understand the function of RBPs in the context of development and diseases.
I. Cardiac Development and Cardiomyopathy.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent type of birth defect and the leading cause of illness and death in children globally. Although the genetics of many simple Mendelian forms of CHD are well understood, the molecular basis for most other forms remains unclear. This could be due to disorders arising from multigenic influences and/or variations in post-transcriptional or post-translational processes. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial post-transcriptional regulators of RNA metabolism, influencing alternative splicing, RNA stability, and translation. They play significant roles in cardiac development. Despite their known involvement in heart development and maturation, the specific molecular and biological functions of many RBPs in this process are still not fully understood. Our research aims to determine the role of post-transcriptional gene regulation in heart development and cardiomyopathy, using approaches such as engineered mouse models and hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.
II. Developmental and Pathological Angiogenesis.
The vascular system consists of a network of endothelial cells that organize and form blood vessels, facilitating the delivery of nutrients and oxygen deep into tissues. Consequently, generating new blood vessels from existing ones, known as angiogenesis, is essential for vertebrate development. Blood vessels are not only crucial for normal human development but also play a key role in tissue injury and repair, as well as in the progression of diseases like cancer. Our research aims to use advanced in vivo and in vitro methods to gain molecular insights into the regulation of blood vessel growth in both normal development and disease. Ultimately, we seek to identify new therapeutic targets to treat abnormal blood vessel growth in diseases affecting vascularized organs.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Yao Wei Lu received his Ph.D. from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Albany Medical College in Dr. John Schwarz’s laboratory, where he studied the role of transcription factor MEF2 in the vasculature. He completed his postdoctoral training at Boston Children’s Hospital with Dr. Da-Zhi Wang to study the roles of RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNA in cardiac development and cardiomyopathy. He was a senior staff scientist at Dr. Hong Chen’s laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital, studying vascular development and functions governed by these RNA-binding proteins. Dr. Lu joined USC’s Department of Medicine and the Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research as an assistant professor in the Spring of 2024.