| Laboratory of Immunology |
Intramural Program Investigators ^ Home ^ |
| Nan-Ping Weng, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator Lymphocyte Differentiation Section |
 Dr. Weng received his M.D. from Shanghai First Medical College, China, in 1984 and Ph.D. in Immunology from Baylor College of Medicine in 1993. He obtained postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine and at the National Cancer Institute. He joined the Laboratory of Immunology at the Gerontology Research Center in 1997.Research Interests: The research interests of this laboratory are focused on two areas: (1) molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory T cell generation and maintenance and (2) roles of telomere and telomerase in lymphocyte lifespan and aging. In order to study the molecular features of memory T cells, we have developed lymphocyte-specific human and mouse cDNA microarray gene filters and analyzed general gene expression profiles of naïve, effector, and memory T cells in both human and mouse. These analyses lead to the identification of genes that are differentially expressed in naïve, effector, and memory T cells as well the kinetic changes in gene expression during naïve CD4 T cell activation. Our findings provide a starting point for elucidating the contribution of various differentially expressed genes in the process of memory T cell formation and maintenance. Telomeres and telomerase are the key components that regulate cellular replicative lifespan. Recently, we have analyzed telomere length in naïve and memory B cells with age, and the expression of natural telomeric genes in human fibroblasts and T cells. Our results demonstrate that there is no simple correlation between telomere length and expression of telomeric genes. Currently, we are characterizing the functions of differentially expressed genes in memory T cells, and determining the mechanisms of telomerase regulation and function in lymphocytes. |
| Contact Information: Laboratory of Immunology Biomedical Research Center, room 08C232 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 100 Baltimore, MD 21224-6825 Phone 410-558-8341 Fax 410-558-8284 E mail wengn@grc.nia.nih.gov For more information about the Laboratory: http://www.grc.nia.nih.gov/branches/li/ldu.htm |
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