Researcher profile

Bin Xu

I have revealed the novel role of Steroid Receptor RNA Activator (SRA), a lncRNA, in regulating nuclear receptor transcription and function in steroidogenesis, adipocyte differentiation and promoting hepatic steatosis using cellular and mouse genetic model, and the transcription factor NKX1-2 in promoting adipogenesis. I have recently shown for the first time that ASH1L histone methyltransferase is over-expressed in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) primary tumors, is a potential therapy target in ATC. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) affects up to 70% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and type I interferons (IFNs) are important promoters of SLE and CLE. My current project is to identify novel regulators and pathways such as IFNB1 and WWC1 in Hippo signaling to elucidate molecular mechanism underlying their role and the cause of SLE and CLE, and the use of small inhibitors to treat SLE and CLE patients.