Contact Information
Assistant Professor of Cell and Neurobiology
Email: qying@keck.usc.edu
Office Phone: 323-442-3308
Lab Phone: 323-442-2261
Fax: 323-442-4040
Office Location: 1501 San Pablo Street, ZNI-529
Lab Location: 1501 San Pablo Street, ZNI-507
CV: Ying CV.pdf
Education
PhD 1995 Neurology/Molecular Biology - Shanghai Medical University, China MSc 1992 Neurosurgery - Shanghai Medical University, China BSc 1987 Medicine - The First Military Medical University, China
Recent Publications
Nichols J, Ying QL. - Derivation and propagation of embryonic stem cells in serum- and feeder-free culture. - Methods Mol Biol [ 2006 ] 329:91-8 .
Conti L, Pollard SM, Gorba T, Reitano E, Toselli M, Biella G, Sun Y, Sanzone S, Ying QL, Cattaneo E, Smith A. - Niche-independent symmetrical self-renewal of a mammalian tissue stem cell. - PLoS Biol [ 2005 ] Sep;3(9):e283
Ying QL, Smith AG. - Defined conditions for neural commitment and differentiation. - Methods Enzymol [ 2003 ] 365:327-41.
Ying QL, Nichols J, Chambers I, Smith A. - BMP induction of Id proteins suppresses differentiation and sustains embryonic stem cell self-renewal in collaboration with STAT3. - Cell [ 2003 ] Oct 31;115(3):281-92.
Research Description
The research in my laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal and differentiation. ES cells are remarkable cell lines that are derived from the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos. They can be grown indefinitely in culture while retaining the capacity to differentiate into all the cells of the body. When an ES cell divides it can either produce identical copies of itself (self-renewal) or it can produce other more specialized cell types (differentiation) such as neurons. Understanding how an ES cell makes this choice between self-renewal and differentiation is the central challenge in stem cell research.Research Projects
Self-renewal of embryonic stem cells
We recently identified a novel regulatory pathway that promotes the multiplication of pure populations of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. This discovery enables us to develop a fully defined culture system for the maintenance of mouse ES cells. Using this system, we are elucidating the molecular basis underlying the difference between mouse and human ES cells in their requirement for extrinsic stimuli that sustain pluripotency.
STAT3 function in ES cell fate regulation
We have derived STAT3-/- ES cells for the first time from mouse blastocysts generated by intercrossing mice heterozygous for a STAT3 null allele, and demonstrated that STAT3 is involved in self-renewal, cell adhesion and cell growth/survival. We are investigating the mechanisms underlying STAT3's diverse roles in regulating ES cell fate.
Neural differentiation of ES cells.
Using the monolayer differentiation system we developed for the induction of neural lineage from ES cells, we are investigating the signaling pathways involved in this differentiation process.
Generation of transgenic and gene knockout rats using rat embryonic stem cell.
We have derived authentic pluripotent ES cells from different strains of rats. We are in the process of making transgenic and gene knockout rats using ES cell technologies.
Lab Staff
- Ping Li- Visiting Research Assistant
- Chang Tong- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Eric Schulze- Graduate Student
- Eek Hoon Joh- Visiting Scholar
- Hanjun Kim- Visiting Scholar
- Jie Hu- Visiting Research Scholar
Awarded Grants
CIRM New Faculty Award:
Mechanisms Underlying the Diverse Functions of STAT3 in Embryonic Stem Cell Fate Regulation
$2,413,650/2 years
CIRM SEED Grant, RS1-00327-1. (8. 2007-7. 2009) "Self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells" $663,209