Dr. Peng's research interests are multifunctional extracellular matrix protein hensin, which plays an important role in adaptation of intercalated cells during metabolic acidosis. Hensin have also been associated with epithelial differentiation, and tumor suppression. Although hensin was founded ten years ago, full-length hensin cloning and expression is still not available. So far, hensin can only be obtained from natural source such as , cell medium, cell lysates, etc. Recombinant expression and purification of hensin is an essential and key step for systematic investigating its structure, function, signal transduction pathway and towards the evaluation of its therapeutically potential.
Dr. Peng's some research aims are as follows:
1) Cloning, sequencing, and expression full-length hensin gene as well as its different domains, such as SRCR, Zp, and CUB domain.
2) Structural and functional analysis of hensin. Investigating the mechanisms of hensin polymerizing in ECM and determining other proteins interacting with hensin such as cyclophilins, galectin-3, integrins and so on.
3) Investigating hensin signaling pathway.