#  Yingzi Yang 

Professor of Developmental Biology

 

 

 



   ![Yang](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2024-10/Untitled%2015.jpg?itok=VR7_ZK_q) 

 



 

 smartphone [617-432-8304](tel:617-432-8304) 

 email [yingzi\_yang@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:yingzi_yang@hsdm.harvard.edu) 

Harvard School of Dental Medicine  
REB 512A  
188 Longwood Avenue  
Boston, MA 02115

 

 



 

My laboratory uses genetic, molecular and cellular approaches to investigate critical roles of cell signaling in mammalian embryonic morphogenesis, and homeostatic maintenance of adult tissues, particularly in the skeleton, dental-craniofacial system and liver by in-depth studies of human genetic diseases. The focus of my lab is to understand the functional mechanisms of cell-cell communications via the Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh) and Hippo pathways. We aim to bridge discoveries of fundamental mechanisms with human disease characterization and treatment.

We have generated genetic and biochemical tools that permitted my group to tackle a series of fundamental questions in normal development and in disease models. Benefited from the solid foundations we have built, our research has been extended into several new territories, in particular, translational research of bone, craniofacial and liver diseases. One of our recent major findings is the identification of Gαs signaling as a centrally important regulator of Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh) and Hippo signaling, breakdown of which causes various human genetic diseases. We have also made significant findings about the functional mechanisms of the PCP pathway, a fundamentally important and evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway in providing directional information during morphogenetic and other biological processes. In the context of growth and patterning during development and regeneration, we are also investigating the roles of the Hippo signaling pathway in regulating liver tumor formation, stem cell expansion and inflammatory responses in mammals.

Our current efforts are divided into four major projects: (1) Understand the role of Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh) and Hippo signaling in development, tissue regeneration and diseases. (2) Understand the function of Wnt/PCP in providing directional information in development and disease. (3) Understand the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying Piezo1-controlled mechanotransduction in the skeletal system. (4) Understand the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying liver tumor formation caused by chronic liver damage and metabolic abnormalities.



 

 

 





 

 

- ## Discipline
    
     [Cancer Biology](/discipline/cancer-biology) [Cell Biology](/discipline/cell-biology) [Developmental Biology](/discipline/developmental-biology) [Genetics](/discipline/genetics) [Molecular Biology](/discipline/molecular-biology)
- ## Organism
    
     [Human](/organism/human) [Mouse](/organism/mouse)
- ## People
    
     [Faculty](/people/faculty)
- ## Location
    
     [Harvard School of Dental Medicine](/location/harvard-school-dental-medicine)