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Faculty Detail Faculty Entry   
Name JIANBO WANG  
Campus Address MCLM 310 Zip 0005
Phone 205-996-9594
E-mail j18wang@uab.edu" id="FacultyDetail1EmailAddress"><a href="mailto:j18wang@uab.edu">j18wang@uab.edu</a>
URL http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=115497
 
 

Department Affiliations(s)
Appointment Type Department Division Rank
Primary  Cell, Developmntl, & Integrative Biology  Cell, Developmntl, & Integrative Biology Assistant Professor
Secondary  Genetics   Genetics Chair Office Assistant Professor

Biographical Sketch 
B.S., Wuhan University (1992)
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University (2001)
Postdoc, Univ. of California, San Diego

Society Memberships
Organization Name Position Held Org Link
No records
 

Research/Clinical Interest
Title
The Planar Cell Polarity Pathway in mammalian embryogenesis
Description
We study morphogenesis, the process through which tissues and organs gain their final shape and dimensions, and how defects in morphogenesis contribute to congenital birth defects in humans. We focus on the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, known to coordinate the cellular polarity in the plane of the epithelium and regulate directional cell behavior during the convergent extension morphogenetic processes in Xenopus and zebrafish.
In mice and humans, disruption of the PCP pathway may lead to defects in both cell polarity and morphogenesis, including mis-orientation of the auditory sensory hair cells in the cochlea, cardiac abnormalities, limb skeletal defects and failure to close the neural tube.
To understand the molecular and cellular basis of PCP-mediated morphogenesis in mammals, we are using mouse genetics to determine how extracellular ligands activate the PCP pathway, how core PCP proteins transmit the signal to the cytoplasm and what downstream effectors are involved in regulating tissue morphogenesis. This genetics approach is complemented by imaging and cell biological studies in Xenopus and tissue culture to investigate how dynamic interaction of core PCP proteins regulates cell adhesion and cytoskeletal assemblies to accomplish directional cell behavior. In addition, we genetically manipulate PCP signaling activity in a tissue and temporal specific fashion to explore the additional functions of the PCP pathway in mammalian development.

Postdoc Positions Available
Date Posted Position Title
11/15/2011  postdoc fellow 
An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available to study the role of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway in mammalian development and human diseases. This project will use a combination of genetic, imaging and cell biological approaches to investigate the mechanisms underlying PCP-mediated morphogenetic events that contribute to cardiovascular and skeletal development and neurulation.

Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology or a related discipline. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, hard working, creative, and determined to pursue a career in research as a principal investigator. Preference will be given to applicants with a proven record in using animal models to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of embryogenesis.

To apply, please email your CV, a description of previous research and contact information for three references to Jianbo Wang (j18wang@uab.edu).
   
 

Selected Publications 
Publication PUBMEDID
Shina, T., Wang, B., Evans, S., Wynshaw-Boris, A. and Wang, Jianbo (2012) Disheveled mediated planar cell polarity signaling is required in the second heart field lineage for outflow tract morphogenesis. Developmental Biology, 370(1): 135-44.  3432663 
Wang, Jianbo, Sinha, T. and Wynshaw-Boris, A. (2012) Wnt Signaling in Mammalian Development: Lessons from Mouse Genetics. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology 4(5):1-16.  22550229 
Wang, B., Sinha, T., Jiao, K., Serra, R and Wang, Jianbo (2010) Disruption of PCP signaling causes limb morphogenesis and skeletal defects and may underlie Robinow syndrome and brachydactyly type B. Human Molecular Genetics 20(2):271-85.  3031336 
Wang, Jianbo, Etheridge L. and Wynshaw-Boris, A. (2006) The Wnt signaling pathways in mammalian development and morphogenesis. Advances in Developmental Biology, 17: 111-158.   
Wang, Jianbo, Hamblet, N.S., Mark, S., Dickinson, M.E., Segil, N., Fraser, S., Chen, P., Wallingford, J.B. and Wynshaw-Boris, A. (2006) Dishevelled genes mediate a conserved mammalian PCP pathway to regulate convergent extension during neurulation. Development, 133: 1767-1778. Featured in “In this issue” section and in “Research Highlight” section of Nature Review Neuroscience 7:420-421.  16571627 
Wang, Jianbo, Mark, S., Zhang, X., Qian, D., Yoo, S.J., Radde-Gallwitz, K., Zhang, Y., Lin, X., Collazo, A., Wynshaw-Boris, A. and Chen P. (2005). Regulation of Polarized Extension and Planar Cell Polarity in the Cochlea by the Vertebrate PCP Pathway. Nature Genetics 37: 980-985.  16116426 
Wang, Jianbo and Wynshaw-Boris, A. (2004) The canonical Wnt pathway in early mammalian embryogenesis and stem cell maintenance/differentiation. Current Opinions in Genetics and Development 14(5): 533-539.  15380245 
Wang, Jianbo, Schneider, E., Mager, J., Cross, J.C., Nagy, A and Magnuson, T. (2002) Mouse Pc-G Gene eed is required for both Hox Gene regulation and extraembryonic development. Mammalian Genome, 13: 493-503.  12370779 
Wang, Jianbo, Mager, J., Chen, Y., Schneider, E., Cross, J.C., Nagy, A. and Magnuson, T. (2001) Imprinted X inactivation maintained by a mouse Polycomb group gene. Nature Genetics 28: 371-375.  11479595 
 

Keywords
mouse genetics, morphogenesis, cell polarity

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