Xiaojie Yang

Research: Keap1 in tumorigenesis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) • Analyzing the role of Keap1 in LSCC through in vivo and in vitro assays, including gene editing, cell-base assays, and in vivo tumor model development. • Led the design, execution, and testing of engineered genetic mice models, xenografts, and synergistic models for LSCC. • Identified potential CAR-T therapies for LSCC using cell engineering approaches.

Research: Methyltransferase 21a (METTL21A) in tumorigenesis of KRAS-driven cancers • Studied METTL21A dysregulation in KRAS-driven pancreatic and lung cancers using genetic mice models, xenografts, and synergistic models. • Discovered the oncogenic role of unmethylated-HSP70s in pancreatic and lung tumor models through in vitro and in vivo assays. • Developed and performed high-throughput screens for small molecule drugs targeting the METTL21A-HSP70s pathway and identified a potential therapeutic candidate for pancreatic and lung cancer treatment.

Research: Biochemical mechanisms of sleep homeostatic regulation • Contributed to uncovering the molecular mechanism of SIK3 in regulating sleep homeostasis by analyzing protein phosphor-states through cell-based assays, phosphorylation assay, western blot and mouse brain tissue collection.

PI4P regulation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and infection • Investigated PI4P dysregulation in HCV replication using virus production, infection studies, cell culture, and immunofluorescence imaging. • Elucidated the critical role of HCV non-structural protein NSA5 in HCV replication and infection using siRNA, PCR, protein expression evaluation, virus titration, protein purification, and in vitro & in vivo immunoprecipitation.