RESEARCH FOCUS:

The major focus of my research is to gain insight into the molecular and cellular mechanism of vascular disease, particularly retinal vascular diseases by using a combination of genetic, molecular, and histological approaches.

1. The blood vessels deliver nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Dysfunction of blood vessels is related to various types of diseases. Major retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with abnormal neovascularization are responsible for the majority of blindness. We are aiming to understand the process of neovascularization and discover novel regulators.

2. Changes in tissue mechanical properties result in different biological effects. Our lab uses biophysical, cellular, and in vivo animal models to study how endothelial cells respond to mechanical forces, including fluid shear stress or matrix stiffness. We are also interested in exploring how mechanical sensors regulate vascular remodeling and disease.

3. Vascular niche plays an important regulatory role in regulating the tissue microenvironment. We investigate how vascular niche participates in the complex regulation of physiological and pathological microenvironments.