Team
Tingting Mills, PhD
Assistant Professor
Office: MSB 6.178
Lab: MSB 6.034
Telephone: 713-500-6024
One of my research projects is the investigation of the role of deoxyadenosine signaling in chronic lung disease and the role of adenosine signaling in acute lung injury. The goal of this research is to understand the mechanisms of hypoxia-induced deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) expression in chronic lung diseases; the role of DCK in these diseases is examined by using the DCK inhibitor 2′-deoxycytidine. Hypoxia and the DCK pathway are characterized utilizing lung samples from IPF and COPD patients. I have also recently started a project to study the role of adenosine signaling in acute lung injury, with the goal to understand the molecular mechanisms of how adenosine can protect vascular leakage through the A2B receptor.
Another project is focusing on the role of Nudt21 in tissue fibrosis. My interest in this project was strengthened by the finding that Nudt21 is a key regulator of alternative polyadenylation in proliferating tissues such as cancer cells. I have expanded these studies to investigate aging and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as skin fibrosis. Through this research, I have uncovered novel roles of Nudt21 with regards to fibrotic gene expression and pathogenesis of lung and skin fibrosis.
Hydia Puente
Research Assistant II
Former lab members
Ning-Yuan Chen
Kelly Volcik, PhD
Junsuk (Josh) Ko, PhD