Cunming Duan Lab

Research in the Duan lab is directed towards understanding how peptide growth factors act to control development and growth. Our current research focuses on the insulin-like growth factor/insulin (IIS) signaling system. The Duan lab uses zebrafish and human cell cultures as experimental models. A combination of molecular, cell biological, biochemical, genetic, and genomic approaches are used to address physiological and developmental questions. Specific areas of current research activity include: (1) roles of growth factors in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis during early development; (2) signal transduction mechanisms of growth factor actions; (3) transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression; and (4) roles of growth factors and hormones in regulating development, growth, and aging in response to hypoxia and nutrient restriction.