Hai Rao, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
We are focusing on the end of protein's life cycle, its death, which is essential for cell growth and development. Regulated protein destruction is mainly carried out by the proteasome, a multi-subunit protease that requires ubiquitin molecule as a ticket for entry. We employ multidisciplinary approaches to tackle the elusive mechanisms and crucial functions of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in vivo and in vitro. Key cellular regulators under our investigation include cell cycle kinase Mps1, tumor suppressor p53, prion protein PrP, misfolded protein CFTR. We have established unique angles and tools to unravel the function of proteolysis in cancer and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Professional Background
Education
- 1996 - PhD - Biochemistry (Mentor: Dr. Bruce Stillman) (Regulation of DNA replication throughout the cell cycle in yeast S. cerevisiae) - State University of New York at Stony Brook
- 1991 - MS - Chemistry - Boston University
- 1989 - BS - Chemistry - Wuhan University
- Postdoctoral Training - Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemistry - Boston University
- Postdoctoral Training - Graduate Research Assist., Dept. of Biochemistry - State University of New York at Stony Brook & Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Postdoctoral Fellowship - Biology (Mentor: Dr. Alex Varshavsky) - California Institute of Technology
Appointments
- 9/2008 - Associate Professor - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Molecular Medicine, San Antonio
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- Instruction & Training
- Research & Grants
- Publications