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Shinghua Ding, PhD

Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering
 Office Location: 324E Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
Office Phone: 573-884-2489
Lab Phone: 573-884-3987
dings@missouri.edu

Research Interests

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Research Description

Ding is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Engineering and an investigator at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center. His current research is focusing on:

a) Glial cell function and neuron-glia interactions in central nervous system. In addition to neurons, other types of brain cells, generally called glia. Glial cell includes three subtypes: oligodendrocytes, microglia and astrocytes. We are interested in how astrocytes respond to pathological stimulations, specifically the alteration of Ca2+ signaling and its effect on neuronal function since Ca2+ elevation in astrocyte causes the release of neurotransmitters. We use two-photon microscopy to imaging Ca2+ signaling in vivo and electrophysiology to record electric signal in our study.

b) Stem cell differentiation and transplantation. The discovery of stem cells that can generate neuronal tissue has raised new possibilities for repairing the nervous system. The key to the success of neuron-replacement therapies is the integration of transplanted cells into the host nervous system. Our goal is to understand the mechanism of stem cell differentiation and study the function of stem cells after differentiation. We use electrophysiology, fluorescent imaging and immunocytochemistry to achieve our goal. Ultimately, we will transplant stem cells into mouse brain to study the therapeutic effect of stem cell on neurodegenerative disease.

c) Ion channel function and modulation. Ion channels are membrane proteins that can close and open in response to membrane potential change, ligand binding and mechanical force. Therefore they allow ions to flow down to electrochemical potential to produce electrical signal, activate signal transduction pathways, regulate cell volume, and mediate fluid and electrolyte transport. We are interested in studying the function and modulation of ion channel using electrophysiology and molecular biology.

Professional Background

  • PhD, Chemical and Biological Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
  • MS, Chemical and Biological Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
  • MS, Biochemical Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University.
  • BS, Biochemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
  • 2007-present: assistant rofessor, Biological Engineering/Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.
  • 2005-2006: research associate, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
  • 2002-2005: Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
  • 1999-2002: Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Molecular Physiology, Thomas Jefferson University.
  • 1991-1993: instructor, Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University.
  • 1989-1991: assistant instructor, Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University.

Selected Publications

  • Shinghua Ding*, Tommaso Fellin*, Yingzi Zhu*, Yves Auberson, David Meaney, Douglas Coulter, Giorgio Carmignoto, Philip G. Haydon. Increased astrocytic Ca2+ oscillations stimulate neuronal excitotoxicity after status epilepticus (*- equal contribution), accepted by Journal of Neuroscience.
  • Conrad Messan1, Shinghua Ding1,2, Philip G. Haydon. Functional Differentiation of Human Brain Progenitor Cells (1-equal contribution, 2-corresponding author). Neuron Glia Biology 2:187-198, 2007.
  • Shinghua Ding1, Conrad Messan1, Peiying Li, Micheal E. Selzer, Marc A. Dichter, Philip G. Haydon. Murine Brain Progenitor Cells Have Ability to Differentiate into Neurons (1-equal contribution, 2-corresponding author). Cell Transplantation 15:699-710, 2006.
  • Shinghua Ding, Lindsey Ingleby, Chris Ahern, Richard Horn. Investigating the putative glycine hinge in Shaker potassium channel. Journal of General Physiology 126: 213-226, 2005.
  • Shinghua Ding, Richard Horn. Effect of S6 Tail Mutations on Charge Movement in Shaker K+ Channels. Biophysical Journal 84: 295-305, 2003.
  • Shinghua Ding, Frederick Sachs. Evidence for Non-Independent Gating of P2X2 Receptors Expressed in Xenopus oocytes. BMC Neuroscience 3:17, 2002.
  • Shinghua Ding, Richard Horn. Tail End of the S6 Segment: Roles in Permeation in Shaker K+ Channels. Journal of General Physiology 120: 87-97, 2002.
  • Shinghua Ding, Richard Horn. Slow Kinetics of Immobilizing the Voltage Sensors in Ion Channels. Biochemistry 40(35):10707-10716, 2001.
  • Richard Horn, Shinghua Ding, and Hermann Gruber. Immobilization of Moving Parts of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels. Journal of General Physiology 116: 461-476, 2000.
  • Shinghua Ding, Frederick Sachs. Inactivation of P2X2 Receptors by Divalent Cations. Journal of Physiology 222:199-214, 2000.
  • Shinghua Ding, Frederick Sachs. Ion Permeation and Block of P2X2 Purinoceptors: Single Channel Recordings. Journal of Membrane Biology 172: 215-223, 1999.
  • Shinghua Ding, Frederick Sachs. Single Channel Properties of P2X2 Purinoceptors. Journal of General Physiology 113: 695-720, 1999.

Published by Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, 134 Research Park Dr., Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-7588 | Fax: 573-884-4232 | Email: dalton@missouri.edu
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