Xiangjun Chen - Personal Profile

Xiangjun Chen, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University

The 2rd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University

Address: Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, 268 Kaixuan Rd, Jianggan Dist., Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

Zip code: 310029

Email: chenxiangjun@zju.edu.cn

Education

2010.09~2015.07  Sichuan University, Sichuan, China,

Ph.D., Biochemistry and molecular biology

2006.09~2010.07  Sichuan University, Sichuan, China,

B.S., Biochemistry and molecular biology

Research Experiences

2018.02~         PI, Institute of Translational Medicine of Zhejiang University

2015.07~2018.01   Postdoctoral fellow, School of life science, Tsinghua University

Research Interests

Cataract, opacification of the lens, is one of the commonest causes of loss of useful vision. Its risk factors include genetics, environments and aging. In previous study, we have identified LSS (lanosterol synthase) is a cataract-causal gene. Its product lanosterol plays a key role in inhibiting lens protein aggregation and points to a novel strategy for cataract prevention and non-surgical treatment. The main research topics in our lab are:

1, Studying the pathogenesis of cataracts and exploring the prevention and treatment strategies;

2, Molecular mechanisms of protein folding and misfolding, and identification of small molecules which can suppress protein misfolding;

3, Intracellular energy metabolism homeostasis and regulation.

We hope that our research will help to develop effective treatments for protein-aggregation diseases, such as cataracts and neurodegeneration diseases.