Members’ Labs

Kunzhe Dong, PhD

Assistant Professor
Augusta University
Immunology Center of Georgia

Primary Research:

Our lab leverages omics data mining and mouse genetic models to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aneurysm. Specifically, we are particularly interested in how naturally occurring mutations identified by GWAS are involved in vascular disease development, function of novel non-coding RNAs, and cellular crosstalk between vascular smooth muscle cells and immune cells in vascular disease.

Laboratory web site URL:

https://www.augusta.edu/centers/immcg/kunzhe-dong.php

Recent Presentations:

Coronary artery disease risk gene PRDM16 is preferentially expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and a novel regulator of VSMC phenotype. 2022 AHA Scientific Sessions. Chicago, 2022. Smooth muscle cell-specific lncRNA CARMN is regulated by SRF/MYOCD complex. Vascular Discovery: From Genes to Medicine Scientific Sessions. Seattle, 2022.

Collaborative Relationships:

Immunology Center of Georgia, Augusta University Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University Medical Research Center, Chongqing General Hospital, China

Laboratory Motto:

Work hard, play hard! Enjoy life, enjoy science!

Members of the Laboratory

Recent Publications