Overview

Our research interest is to explore the molecular underpinnings of pathogenesis of fatty liver disease, fibrosis, inflammation, obesity, diabetes, aging, and cancer. We are also actively pursuing translational research to bring laboratory findings to clinical applications. We use multi-disciplinary approaches including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and computational biology to investigate the fundamental mechanisms, especially epigenetic, transcriptional, and signaling regulation.

Aging

The Dong Lab is investigating the physiological and pathological aging processes at cell, organ, and system levels. As Foxo transcription factors and Sirt6 are longevity-promoting factors, it is of importance to understand their biological functions. Both cell and animal models are used in this line of research.

Cancer

The Dong Lab is also actively investigating oncogenes and tumor suppressors and their role in the process of cell transformation and tumorigenesis. As the incidents of liver cancer is on the rise, the current focus of cancer research in the lab is to understand how the liver cancer is initiated in the first place.

Diabetes and Obesity

Owing to overnutrition and sedentary lifestyle in the current society, the prevalence of diabetes and obesity is steadily increasing. This laboratory is investigating molecular mechanisms that control the normal physiology and pathophysiology in diet-induced and genetic defect-induced diabetes and obesity. Both cell and animal models are used to illustrate the underlying mechanisms.

Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Both ethanol consumption and overnutrition can cause excessive triglyceride accumulation in the liver, commonly called hepatic steatosis or fatty liver. The fatty liver disease can progress to more serious liver problems including hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. This laboratory is investigating the whole spectrum of the fatty liver disease and aiming to understand the mechanism of pathogenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo models will be used for the ongoing studies.