Zhihong Wang

Biography

Protein phosphorylation, catalyzed by kinases, is the most universal mechanism of regulating protein function and transmitting signals throughout the cell. Aberrant activation of kinases causes dysfunction of cell signaling and regulatory pathways, resulting in numerous human diseases including cancer. Our laboratory is interested in the molecular logic of kinase function under normal and pathological conditions. By integrating techniques from biochemistry, proteomics, molecular biology, and cell biology, we currently study the molecular mechanism of BRAF activation, regulation, and oncogenesis. The long-term goal of our research is to enhance our biochemical understanding of the origin of cancer and to provide a better molecular basis for drug development.

Research Interest

"Illuminating the molecular mechanisms of aberrant activation of oncogenic kinases Dissecting the affected signaling pathways where oncogenic kinases lie in Examining the effects of posttranslational modification on enzyme activity and its physiological role"