Mammalian brain consists of both laminar (e.g. neocortex) and nuclear (e.g. thalamus, hypothalamus and brain stem) structures, which directly affect behavior and cognition. Very little is known about spatial organizational principles of nuclear structures at single-cell level before my study, in contrast to well-studied stratified neocortex. We are using single-cell analysis approach such as clonal analysis, single-cell RNAseq and single-cell genetic deletion to investigate the behavior of embryonic neural stem cells; the generation, migration and connection of neurons in hypothalamus and brain stem; and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying congenital neural disease.

Moreover, we are focusing on the role of adult neural stem cells in regulating aging and obesity and the potential mechanisms. Canonical adult neural stem cells reside in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ) in hypothalamus and decay during the aging process, while the adult neurogenesis in hypothalamus regulates the feeding behavior and metabolism disease like obesity and aging. We will take advantage of lineage tracing approach to investigate the behavior of adult hypothalamic neural stem cells under distinct environmental context and its effect on organismal metabolism. Furthermore, we are also interested in the incorporation of hypothalamic new-born neurons in neural circuit.

2000 - 2005   M.D.

Fudan Uiversity, Shanghai, China

2005 – 2012   Ph.D.

Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China

1/2017 - present Principle Investigator

Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

7/2012 – 11/2016   Postdoctoral Researcher

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (Advisor, Dr. Hongjun Song)

(10) Qing-Feng Wu, Samuel Z.H. Wong, Candace C. Liu, Christopher Jou, Guo-Li Ming, Hongjun Song, Yasushi Nakagawa. (2017) Deconstructing the cellular basis of thalamic nuclei specification by in vivo clonal analysis. Prepared for submission

(9) Qing-Feng Wu, Samuel Z.H. Wong, Candace C. Liu, Christopher Jou, Mai Nakamura, Gerry J. Sun, Michael A. Bonaguidi, Kimberly M. Christian, Yasushi Nakagawa, Guo-li Ming, and Hongjun Song. (2017) Clonal Organization and Production of Diverse Cell Types in Hypothalamus. Prepared for submission

(8) Wei D, Gao N, Li L, Zhu JX, Diao L, Huang J, Han QJ, Wang S, Xue H, Wang Q, Wu QF, Zhang X, Bao L. α-Tubulin Acetylation Restricts Axon Overbranching by Dampening Microtubule Plus-End Dynamics in Neurons. (2017) Cereb Cortex, (Epub ahead of print)

(7) Yoon KJ, Song G, Qian X, Pan J, Xu D, Rho HS, Kim NS, Habela C, Zheng L, Jacob F, Zhang F, Lee EM, Huang WK, Ringeling FR, Vissers C, Li C, Yuan L, Kang K, Kim S, Yeo J, Cheng Y, Liu S, Wen Z, Qin CF, Wu Q, Christian KM, Tang H, Jin P, Xu Z, Qian J, Zhu H, Song H, Ming GL. Zika-Virus-Encoded NS2A Disrupts Mammalian Cortical Neurogenesis by Degrading Adherens Junction Proteins. (2017) Cell Stem Cell. (Epub ahead of print)

(6) Oh Y, Zhang F, Wang Y, Lee EM, Choi IY, Lim H, Mirakhori F, Li R, Huang L, Xu T, Wu H, Li C, Qin CF, Wen Z, Wu QF, Tang H, Xu Z, Jin P, Song H, Ming GL, Lee G (2017). Zika virus directly infects peripheral neurons and induces cell death. Nat Neurosci, 20(9):1209-1212.

(5) Yang L, Dong F, Yang Q, Yang PF, Wu R, Wu QF, Wu D, Li CL, Zhong YQ, Lu YJ, Cheng X, Xu FQ, Chen L, Bao L, Zhang X. (2017) FGF13 Selectively Regulates Heat Nociception by Interacting with Nav1.7. Neuron, 93(4):806-821

(4) Liu H, Wu QF, Li JY, Liu XJ, Li KC, Zhong YQ, Wu D, Wang Q, Lu YJ, Bao L, Zhang X. (2015) Fibroblast growth factor 7 is a nociceptive modulator secreted via large dense-core vesicles. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, 7(5):466-75

(3) Zhang X, Bao L, Yang L, Wu Q, and Li S. (2012) Roles of intracellular fibroblast growth factors in neural development and functions. Sci China Life Sci. 55: 1038-1044. (Review)

(2) Wu QF, Yang L, Li S, Wang Q, Yuan XB, Gao X, Bao L, Zhang X. (2012) Fibroblast growth factor 13 is a microtubule-stabilizing protein regulating neuronal polarization and migration. Cell, 149(7):1549-64.

(1) Liu XJ, Zhang FX, Liu H, Li KC, Lu YJ, Wu QF, Li JY, Wang B, Wang Q, Lin LB, Zhong YQ, Xiao HS, Bao L, Zhang X. (2012) Activin C expressed in nociceptive afferent neurons is required for suppressing inflammatory pain. Brain, 135(Pt 2):391-403.

​(8) Wei D, Gao N, Li L, Zhu JX, Diao L, Huang J, Han QJ, Wang S, Xue H, Wang Q, Wu QF, Zhang X, Bao L. α-Tubulin Acetylation Restricts Axon Overbranching by Dampening Microtubule Plus-End Dynamics in Neurons. (2017) Cereb Cortex, (Epub ahead of print)

(7) Yoon KJ, Song G, Qian X, Pan J, Xu D, Rho HS, Kim NS, Habela C, Zheng L, Jacob F, Zhang F, Lee EM, Huang WK, Ringeling FR, Vissers C, Li C, Yuan L, Kang K, Kim S, Yeo J, Cheng Y, Liu S, Wen Z, Qin CF, Wu Q, Christian KM, Tang H, Jin P, Xu Z, Qian J, Zhu H, Song H, Ming GL. Zika-Virus-Encoded NS2A Disrupts Mammalian Cortical Neurogenesis by Degrading Adherens Junction Proteins. (2017) Cell Stem Cell. (Epub ahead of print)

(6) Oh Y, Zhang F, Wang Y, Lee EM, Choi IY, Lim H, Mirakhori F, Li R, Huang L, Xu T, Wu H, Li C, Qin CF, Wen Z, Wu QF, Tang H, Xu Z, Jin P, Song H, Ming GL, Lee G (2017). Zika virus directly infects peripheral neurons and induces cell death. Nat Neurosci, 20(9):1209-1212.

(5) Yang L, Dong F, Yang Q, Yang PF, Wu R, Wu QF, Wu D, Li CL, Zhong YQ, Lu YJ, Cheng X, Xu FQ, Chen L, Bao L, Zhang X. (2017) FGF13 Selectively Regulates Heat Nociception by Interacting with Nav1.7. Neuron, 93(4):806-821

(4) Liu H, Wu QF, Li JY, Liu XJ, Li KC, Zhong YQ, Wu D, Wang Q, Lu YJ, Bao L, Zhang X. (2015) Fibroblast growth factor 7 is a nociceptive modulator secreted via large dense-core vesicles. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, 7(5):466-75

(3) Zhang X, Bao L, Yang L, Wu Q, and Li S. (2012) Roles of intracellular fibroblast growth factors in neural development and functions. Sci China Life Sci. 55: 1038-1044. (Review)

(2) Wu QF, Yang L, Li S, Wang Q, Yuan XB, Gao X, Bao L, Zhang X. (2012) Fibroblast growth factor 13 is a microtubule-stabilizing protein regulating neuronal polarization and migration. Cell, 149(7):1549-64.

(1) Liu XJ, Zhang FX, Liu H, Li KC, Lu YJ, Wu QF, Li JY, Wang B, Wang Q, Lin LB, Zhong YQ, Xiao HS, Bao L, Zhang X. (2012) Activin C expressed in nociceptive afferent neurons is required for suppressing inflammatory pain. Brain, 135(Pt 2):391-403.

Mammalian brain consists of both laminar (e.g. neocortex) and nuclear (e.g. thalamus, hypothalamus and brain stem) structures, which directly affect behavior and cognition. Very little is known about spatial organizational principles of nuclear structures at single-cell level before my study, in contrast to well-studied stratified neocortex. We are using single-cell analysis approach such as clonal analysis, single-cell RNAseq and single-cell genetic deletion to investigate the behavior of embryonic neural stem cells; the generation, migration and connection of neurons in hypothalamus and brain stem; and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying congenital neural disease.

Moreover, we are focusing on the role of adult neural stem cells in regulating aging and obesity and the potential mechanisms. Canonical adult neural stem cells reside in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ) in hypothalamus and decay during the aging process, while the adult neurogenesis in hypothalamus regulates the feeding behavior and metabolism disease like obesity and aging. We will take advantage of lineage tracing approach to investigate the behavior of adult hypothalamic neural stem cells under distinct environmental context and its effect on organismal metabolism. Furthermore, we are also interested in the incorporation of hypothalamic new-born neurons in neural circuit.

现指导学生

王景丽  博士研究生  071008-发育生物学  

郭曦泽  博士研究生  071009-细胞生物学  

李彤  硕士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

李斯  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

许鸣锐  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

童曈  硕士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

张宇虹  硕士研究生  071007-遗传学  

1. Distinguished Student Award by Fudan University (2001-2005)

2. Merit Academic Researcher Award by Chinese Society for Cell Biology in Shanghai (2012)

3. Eli-Lilly Outstanding Graduate Thesis Award by Eli Lilly and Company (2012)

4. Presidential Scholarship (Special Prize) by Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012)

5. Shanghai Excellent Doctoral Thesis Award (2013)

6. Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award by Chinese Academy of Sciences (2013)

7. Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowship (2013)

8. Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) award (2016)