Xinping Zhang, B.Med., Ph.D.

Dr. Zhang's research centers on finding ways to "revitalize, " or reactivate the healing processes of bone. When people suffer massive bone loss due to traumatic injury or a tumor, bone grafts are used to restore the shape and strength of the bone. Even when a bone graft from the patient's own body is used, healing and strengthening are sometimes never complete.

By studying how our body's cells mature to become bone-forming cells, Dr. Zhang hopes to find ways to turn the process of healing on so that the entire bone graft will heal after surgery.

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have enormous potential for bone tissue repair and regeneration. Our research has been focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the activation, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells during skeletal repair. We are particularly interested in the periosteal stem cells that play key roles in repair and regeneration. Our current program has integrated the following topics:
1) Molecular signals that control mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.
2) Mechanism of skeletal repair and regeneration
3) Stem cell therapy and bone tissue engineering for repair and reconstruction of large segmental defects.