Qin Wang, MD, PhD - Lab

Professor
Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine

Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Neurodegeneration
Inaugural Director of the Program for Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Discovery

Mailing Address:

Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine
1120 15th Street, Rm. CA3002
Medical College of Georgia Augusta University
Augusta, GA 30912

Phone:  706-721-0700
E-mail:  qiwang@augusta.edu 
Other: Georgia Research Alliance

Education:

1992 MD            Peking University Health Science Center (Bejing Medical University)

1999 PhD          University of Iowa, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

Training:

2000-2002          Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University, Department of Pharmacology

Research interests:

Dr. Qin Wang's research interests revolve around investigating cell surface receptor signaling and neuropharmacology in the context of brain physiology and disease pathology. Her laboratory employs state-of-the-art techniques, including CRISPR editing, multiomic analysis, super-resolution imaging, pharmacological and behavioral approaches, as well as humanized animal models, human postmortem tissues, and iPSC-derived brain cells, to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) and complex behaviors. Furthermore, the lab explores the therapeutic potential of targeting these mechanisms for disease treatment, with the ultimate goal of translating their fundamental discoveries into novel clinical applications.

One of the primary focuses of Dr. Wang's lab is AD, a multifaceted disease that involves numerous genetic and environmental factors. Her lab employs a multifaceted approach to address this complexity, with a particular emphasis on the following areas: 1) exploring the contribution of noradrenergic dysfunction to AD pathogenesis; 2) investigating alterations in endosomal trafficking in AD and the interactions between AD risk factors; 3) elucidating the role of astrocytic signaling and reactivity in AD progression; 4) examining the relationship between AD risk and cancer therapies, as well as congenital heart diseases; 5) developing treatments for AD by targeting neuronal hyperexcitability.

Current projects:

Some of our focus are:

1. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis

a) noradrenergic dysfunction and adrenergic signaling in AD;

b) regulation of endosomal trafficking and its involvement in AD pathogenesis;

c) astrocyte reactivity in AD;

d) tumors and related therapies as risk factors for AD.

 

2. Cognition and complex behaviors

 

Lab members:

Shalini Saggu – Assistant Professor
Hasibur Rehman – Research Scientist
Cynthia Martin-Jimenez - Postdoctoral Fellow
Mae Aida – Research Associate
Amy Trang – Research Associate
Destany Ware - Research Associate
Jin Wen - Research Associate
Emily Dew - Graduate Student
Gustavo Capo - Medical Student
Andrew Pless - Medical Student
Alexis Jones - Masters Student
Kaitlyn Le - Undergraduate Student
Ava Bai - High School Student

Open Positions

Multiple NIH-funded postdoctoral positions are available for motivated and creative postdoctoral fellows to study disease mechanisms at molecular, cellular and system levels and to identify novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Excellent research techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology are preferred. Prior experience with brain research and skills in computation are valued. Candidates with biochemistry, cell biology and/or neurobiology backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The laboratory focuses on translational research in synaptic signaling and neuropharmacology. The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to conduct the innovative research projects with state-of-the-art technologies and model systems, such as CRISPR gene editing, single-cell RNA-Seq, super-resolution imaging, AI-aided design and analysis, patient-derived iPSCs and humanized mouse models. The fellow will be given opportunities to apply for training grants and encouraged to pursue independent research career, with a strong support from the mentor. 

Postdoctoral Fellows: 
We seek postdoctoral fellows interested in studying Alzheimer’s disease. The candidates will hold a PhD or MD or equivalent in neuroscience, physiology, molecular/cell biology, biochemistry or neuropharmacology. Expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry is desirable. Candidates are expected to have good communication skills and have a strong drive for building a successful research career.

Graduate Students:
We welcome graduate students and are interested in potential rotation students. Prospective students can apply to our lab through the Graduate Program in Neuroscience as well as through the MD/PhD Program.

Undergraduate Students and medical students:
We accept motivated undergraduate students and medical students who are interested in biomedical research.

Media Coverage

News Media Coverage

• A peptide blocking the ADORA1-neurabin interaction is anticonvulsant and inhibits epilepsy in an Alzheimer’s model - ASCI
• Peptide delivered by nasal spray can reduce seizure activity, protect neurons in Alzheimer’s, epilepsy - jagwire.augusta.edu
• Augusta University doctor makes breakthrough in Alzheimer's research - www.wrdw.com
• Researchers at UAB develop possible breakthrough for Alzheimer's - www.wvtm13.com
• Researchers at UAB develop possible breakthrough for Alzheimer's - www.scientificamerican.com
• Pathogenic Alzheimer’s disease cascade is activated by faulty norepinephrine signaling - www.uab.edu/news/research
• Finding a path between amyloid-β and tau - https://cen.acs.org
• Pathogenic Alzheimer's disease cascade is activated by faulty norepinephrine signaling - www.eurekalert.org
• With a Shot of Adrenaline, Amyloid-β Sparks Tau Cascade - www.alzforum.org
• β-amyloid redirects norepinephrine signaling to activate the pathogenic GSK3β/tau cascade - wwww.uab.edu/medicine/news/ 

Selected publications:

Saggu S, Chen Y, Wang H, Cottingham C, Zhang S, Augelli-Szafran C, Jiao K, Lu X and Wang Q.

   (2022) Ligand-selective activation of cofilin leads to distinct regulation of fear memory

   reconsolidation by α2AR agonists.  Mol Psychiatry. In press.

 

Li S, Fang Y, Zhang Y, Song M, Zhang X, Ding X, Yao H, Chen M, Sun Y, Ding J, Wang Q, Lu M,

Wu G,  Hu G (2022) Microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activates neurotoxic astrocytes in a mouse

model of depression.  Cell Rep."

 

Saggu S, Chen Y, Pizarro D, Law W, Pati S, McMahon L, Jiao K and Wang Q (2022)

   Peptide blocker of the adenosine A1R-neurabin interaction displays strong anti-seizure

   effects and reduces epileptic activities in an Alzheimer’s model. JCI Insight. Jun 8;7(11):e155002.

   doi: 10.1172/jci.insight. 155002

 

Cunningham J, Sheppard LD, Listik E and Wang Q (2022) Self-paced five-choice serial

    reaction time-task for mouse behavior testing. bio-101. https://en.bio protocol.org/bio101/

    e4388.

 

Hao X, Li Z, Li W, Katz J, Michalek S, Barnum SR, Pozzo-Miller L, Saito T, Saido T, Wang

   Q, Roberson ED, Zhang P. (2022) Periodontal Infection Aggravates C1q-Mediated Microglial  

   Activation and Synapse Pruning in Alzheimer’s Mice. Frontiers in Immunology. 01 Feb. 2022.

 

Yan S, Thienthanasit R, Chen D, Engelen E, Bruhl J, Crossman D, Kesterson R, Wang Q,

   Bouazoune K, and Jiao K (2020) CHD7 regulates cardiovascular development through ATP–

   dependent and -independent activities. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 117:28847-28858.

 

Zhang Y, Song L, Dong H, Kim D, Sun Z, Boger H, Wang Q and Wang H. (2020)

   Spinophilin -deficient mice are protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

   AJP-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 319: E354–E362.

 

Kumar SNK, Devarajan A, Karan G, Suresh S, Wang Q, van Groen T, del Monte F,

   Rajasekaran NS. (2020) Reductive stress promotes protein aggregation and impairs

   neurogenesis. Redox Biol. 37:101739.

 

Zhang F, Gannon M, Chen Y, Yan S, Zhang S, Feng W, Tao J, Sha B, Liu Z, Saito T, Saido

   T, Keene CD, Jiao K, Roberson ED, Xu H, and Wang Q (2020) Amyloid β rewires

   norepinephrine signaling to activate the pathogenic GSK3β/tau cascade. Science Transl Med.

   Vol. 12, Issue 526, eaay6931.

 

Gannon M, Wang Q (2019). Complex Noradrenergic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease:

     Low Norepinephrine Input is Not Always to Blame. Brain Res. 1702, 12-16.

 

Yim Y, Betke K, McDonald WH, Gilsbach R, Chen Y, Hyde K, Wang Q, Hein L, and Hamm

   H (2019) The in vivo specificity of synaptic Gβ and Gγ subunits to the α2a adrenergic receptor

   at CNS synapses. Sci Rep. 9:1718.

 

Cottingham C, Che P, Zhang W, Wang H, Wang RX, Percival S, Birky T, Zhou L, Jiao K and

   Wang Q (2017) Diverse arrestin-recruiting and endocytic profiles of tricyclic antipsychotics

   acting as direct a_2A adrenergic receptor ligands. Neuropharmacology, 116, 38-49.

 

Reyes B, Carvalho AF, Szot P, Kalamarides D, Wang Q, Kirby L, Van Bockstaele E (2017)

   Cortical adrenoceptor expression, function and adaptation under conditions of cannabinoid

   receptor deletion. Exp Neurol., 292, 179-192.

 

Chen Y, Booth C, Wang H, Wang RX, Terzi D, Zachariou V, Zhang J, Jiao K and Wang Q

   (2017) Effective attenuation of adenosine A1R signaling by neurabin requires neurabin

   oligomerization.  Mol Pharm. 92, 630-639.

 

Scarduzio M, Zimmerman CN, Jaunarajs KL, Wang Q, Standaert DG and McMahon L

   (2017) Elevated striatal cholinergic tone drives dopamine D2 receptor mediated paradoxical

   excitation of cholinergic interneurons in DYT1 dystonia. Exp Neurol. 295, 162-175.

 

Zhang F, Gannon M, Chen Y, Zhou L, Jiao K and Wang Q (2017) The amyloid precursor

   protein modulates α2A adrenergic receptor endocytosis and signaling through disrupting

   arrestin 3 recruitment. FASEB J. 31, 4434-4446.

 

Wu H, Cottingham C, Wang H, Che P, Wang RX, Jiao K and Wang Q (2017) Age-

   dependent differential regulation of anxiety- and depression-related behaviors by neurabin

   and spinophilin. PLoS One. 12(7):e0180638.

 

Chen Y, Peng Y, Che P, Gannon M, Liu Y, Li L, Bu G, van Groen T, Jiao K and Wang Q

    (2014) alpha2A adrenergic receptor promotes amyloidogenesis through disrupting APP-

    SorLA interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 111, 17296-17301.

 

Wang Q, Zhao J, Brady AE, Feng J, Allen PB, Lefkowitz RJ, Greengard P and Limbird LE

    (2004)  Spinophilin blocks arrestin actions in vitro and in vivo at G protein-coupled receptors.    

    Science 304, 1940-1944 (Research Article).