Research Interests Have you ever wondered why you look differently from others? The answer is your cells are organized differently. But how? Multicellular organisms arrange cells in special patterns to form distinct structures through a set of developmental instructions that we do not fully understand. In my laboratory, we use the zebrafish retina as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular pattern formation in the central nervous system. The vertebrate retina develops from a single sheet of neuroepithelial cells, which later differentiate and reorganize into layered structures during retinal neurogenesis. Each retinal layer is composed of specific neuronal classes and executes distinct functions. Although the cellular architecture and function in the retina are relatively well characterized, the molecular mechanisms that control retinal pattern formation remain largely unknown. To understand how retinal cells organize, my lab uses a variety of experimental approaches that involve Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Developmental Biology. Our research is currently focused on the following areas: study how retinal epithelial polarity contributes to the formation of the layered cellular structure of the mature retina; investigate how cell-cell adhesion molecules play a role in retinal pattern formation; identify novel mutations that affect retinal development through mutagenesis screens   Selected Publications X. Yang, J. Zou, D. Hyde, L. Davidson, and X. Wei (2009) Stepwise maturation of apicobasal polarity of the neuroepithelium is essential for vertebrate neurulation. Journal of Neuroscience. 29:11426-11440. J. Zou , K. Lathrop, M. Sun, X. Wei (2008) "Intact retinal pigment epithelium maintained by Nok is essential for retinal epithelial polarity and cellular patterning in zebrafish" J Neurosci. 28:13684-95. | Abstract A. Catalano, P. Raymond, D. Goldman, X. Wei (2007) "Zebrafish dou yan mutation causes patterning defects and extensive cell death in the retina" Dev Dyn. 236:1295-306. | Abstract J. Zou, F. Beermann, J. Wang, K. Kawakami, and X. Wei. (2006) The Fugu rubripes tyrp1 promoter directs specific GFP expression in zebrafish: tools to study the RPE and neural crest-derived melanophores. Pigment Cell Research. 19:615-627. | Abstract Wei X, Zou J, Takechi M, Kawamura S, Li L. (2006) "Nok plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the outer nuclear layer in the zebrafish retina" Exp Eye Res. 83:31-44. | Abstract   Grant Support NIH RO1 EY016099 PI: Xiangyun Wei Sept 30, 2005 -- Aug 31, 2010 Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award PI: Xiangyun Wei Dec 2004-Dec 2008 University of Pittsburgh Health System Competitive Medical Research Fund (CMRF) grant PI: Xiangyun Wei July 1, 2004-June 30, 2006 University of Pittsburgh Startup fund PI: Xiangyun Wei Sept 2003-August 2006   Other Links University of Pittsburgh

Xiangyun Wei, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Office:  Room 5060, BST3 Lab:Room 5065, BST3 Phone:412-383-5845 Fax: 412-647-5880 weix@upmc.edu   Academic Affiliations Member, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Graduate Program Department of Ophthalmology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine   Education University of Notre Dame Postdoc 2002-2003 Developmental biology Harvard Medical School/MEEI, Boston Postdoc 1998-2002 Developmental biology State University of New York at Buffalo Ph.D. 1993-1998 Cell Biology   Lab Personnel Dr. Jian Zou, Postdoc Dr. Xiaojun Yang, Postdoc

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