Yue-Qiao Huang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
Drexel University College of Medicine
2900 Queen Lane, Room 242
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Phone: (215) 991-8590
Fax: (215) 843-9082
Email: yueqiao.huang@drexelmed.edu

Molecular and cellular biology of synaptic plasticity

Research Interests

• Cell signaling mechanisms for neurotransmission and plasticity

• Cell signaling in dendritic remodeling; and

• Trafficking of NMDA receptors

Research Summary

Dr. Huang's lab is interested in the mechanisms that modulate the communication between neurons in the central nervous system. The general approach is to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate neurotransmitter receptors that mediate the response to neurotransmitters released at synapses. Currently the lab focuses the efforts on the regulation of the glutamate receptors, the major excitatory receptors in the brain. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, one of the most important glutamate receptor systems in the brain, play critical roles in learning and memory, development of the brain, and neurological disorders. Studies from this lab and from others have demonstrated that phosphorylation of glutamate receptors is a major mechanism for the control of their function and is critical for the regulation of synaptic communication. Moreover, Dr. Huang's studies on the trafficking of the NMDA receptors have shown that receptor internalization may be a significant way of modulation of the synaptic plasticity.

Current research projects include (1) cell signaling mechanisms for neurotransmission and plasticity, especially in long-term potentiation; (2) cell signaling in dendritic remodeling; and (3) trafficking of NMDA receptors. Dr. Huang's research group uses a combination of state-of-the-art biochemical, cell biological, imaging, and electrophysiological approaches to address the questions of interest. As the glutamate receptors are critically important in brain disorders, Dr. Huang's studies have significant implications that extend to a broad range of physiological and pathological processes in the central nervous system, including brain and spinal cord injury, epilepsy, chronic pain, stroke, Alzheimer disease, and other types of neurodegeneration. For example, it is now known that under-stimulation of certain receptors, such as glutamate receptors, may lead to decreased communication between neurons and may cause diseases such as Alzheimer's; in contrast over-stimulation of the glutamate receptors may cause neuronal death in stroke or CNS injury. Therefore, it is expected that augmenting the function and /or number of receptors in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, may enhance learning and memory; whereas decreasing the function or numbers of receptors could protect the neurons from death following a stroke or CNS injury.

Biography

Dr. Yue-Qiao Huang received his B.Sc. degree from Wuhan University in China and his Ph.D. degree from Iowa State University. He did his postdoctoral training with Dr. Michael W. Salter at the Program in Brain and Behavior in The Hospital for Sick Children/ Department of Physiology, University of Toronto in Canada. He is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Selected Publications

1. Nong, Y., Huang, Y.Q., and Salter, M.W. (2004) NMDA receptors are movin' in. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 14, 353-361 pdf

2. " Gingrich, J.R., Pelkey, K.A., Fam, S., Huang, Y.Q. , Petralia, R.S., Wenthold, R.J., and Salter, M.W. (2004) Unique domain anchoring of Src to synaptic NMDA receptors via the mitochondrial protein NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 101, 6237-6242.pdf

3. " Nong, Y.*, Huang, Y.Q.*, Ju, W.*, Kalia, L.V., Ahmadian,R., Wang, Y.T. and Salter, M.W. (2003) Glycine binding primes NMDA receptors internalization. Nature 422, 302-307 (*Co-first authors).pdf

4. " Huang, Y.Q., Lu, W., Ali, D.W., Pelkey, K.A., Pitcher, G.M., Lu, Y.M., Aoto, H., Roder, J.C., Sasaki, T., Salter, M.W., MacDonald, J.F. (2001) CAKbeta/Pyk2 kinase is a signaling link for induction of long-term potentiation in CA1 hippocampus. Neuron. 29(2): 485-96.pdf

Position Available:

A postdoctoral position is available to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal signaling (See Neuron. 29(2): 485-96, 2001 and Nature 422, 302-307, 2003). Current Opinion in Neurobiol. 14, 353-361, 2004.) Research projects include (1) cell signaling mechanisms for neurotransmission and plasticity; (2) dendritic spine remodeling; and (3) trafficking of NMDA receptors. Highly motivated candidates are encouraged to apply. A background in electrophysiology, and/or imaging is highly desirable. To apply send CV, a cover letter along with a list of 3 references by email to: yueqiao.huang@drexelmed.edu Dr. Yue-Qiao Huang, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129.