Zhen Jiang

Zhen Jiang, M.D., Ph.D.[Lake Nona in Orlando]

  • Research

    Dr. Jiang focuses on insulin signal networks related to glucose metabolism.

  • Biography

    Dr. Jiang received his M.S. in pharmacology from Peking Union Medical College and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Univeristy of London.

Publications

 

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Zhen Jiang's Research Focus

Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Diabetes - General

Our research focuses on insulin signal networks related to glucose metabolism. Currently, we are using TIRF microscopy-based live cell imaging, protein-protein interactions and a knockout mouse model to study the role of CDP138, a novel phosphoprotein containing C2 domain, in GLUT4 translocation, glucose metabolism and neuronal functions. We are also interested in applying a serum proteomic approach to identify differentially expressed serum proteins in obese insulin-resistant animal models and their role in obesity-related complications.

Zhen Jiang's Research Report

Zhen Jiang
Our research focuses on insulin signal networks related to metabolism. Insulin has pleiotropic actions in the human body including the regulation of glucose metabolism, fat storage, protein synthesis and gene expression. Many of these metabolic functions of insulin are mediated through the PI 3-kinase pathway. Studies reported by us and others have suggested that insulin signaling in the PI 3-kinase pathway is selectively impaired under insulin resistant states, such as in obesity animal models and type II diabetes mellitus. Using an siRNA-mediated gene silencing approach we observed that a PI 3-kinase downstream protein kinase Akt, particularly Akt2, is absolutely required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and the translocation of glucose transporter GLUT4 from its intracellular storage to the plasma membrane in adipocytes. Together, our studies and others support the notion that the PI 3-kinase – Akt2 pathway plays a critical role in the regulation of glucose metabolism both at normal and diabetic states. Recently, our efforts have been directed at identifying the key cellular components that link Akt signaling to glucose transport, adipokine secretion and adipogenesis. In collaboration with Dr. Marcus Krueger in Dr. Matthias Mann's laboratory at the Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich, Germany, we applied a SILAC-based quantitative proteomics approach and successfully identified more than 100 different phosphoproteins and their interacting proteins from insulin-stimulated adipocytes. Currently, our lab uses multiple approaches including RNAi-based gene silencing, protein-protein interaction, proteomics, live cell imaging and transgenic mouse models to dissect Akt signal networks involved in glucose metabolism and adipogenesis. In addition, our laboratory is also applying a proteomic approach to identify biomarkers of obesity and diabetes.

About Zhen Jiang

Experience

Zhen Y. Jiang, M.S., M.D., Ph.D., was trained as a Medical Doctor before earning his M.S. in pharmacology from Peking Union Medical College, China, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from University College, the University of London, UK. He did his postdoctoral research training at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston before working as an Instructor and then a Research Assistant Professor in the Program in Molecular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Jiang was recruited to the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute as an Assistant Professor in 2008.

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