Lan Bao, PhDDistinguished Adjunct Professor from CAS

The proteins are transported to different subcellular areas to exhibit their functions after synthesis in cells. Neurons are highly specialized cells with axon and dendrites. Our group is interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of protein transport in neurons. One direction of research is exploring the mechanisms of receptor and ion channel transport and related significance in sensory sensation and pain modulation. Another direction is identifying the post-translational modifications of tubulins and their roles in neuronal development and neurodegenerative diseases.
Receptors and ion channels play an important roles in sensory transmission and modulation. The sorting, trafficking and localization of receptors and ion channels are precisely controlled in sensory neurons. We use the techniques of Molecule Biology, Cell Biology and Neurobiology to study the transport route of these membrane proteins in physiological and pathological (peripheral inflammation and nerve injury) conditions. Furthermore, we identify the localizing signals within receptors and ion channels, extracellular factors, interacting proteins and signaling pathways to regulate the localization and trafficking of these proteins. Our studies contribute to the basic theory of sorting and trafficking of receptors and ion channels, and also to the mechanisms of sensory sensation and pain.
In neurons, microtubule provides tracks for protein and vesicle transportation in cell body especially in axon and dendrite. Microtubule dynamics can be modulated by intracellular molecules and extracellular factors which leads to microtubule assembly and disassembly. During neuronal development, proper regulation of microtubule dynamics is essential for neurite outgrowth, neuronal polarity and migration. We identify the post-translational modifications to tubulin subunits, detect their effects on microtubule dynamics, explore their regulatory molecules and signaling pathways, and investigate their roles in neuronal development (neurite outgrowth, neuronal polarity and migration) and neurodegenerative diseases.