Dong Yan | Scholars@Duke

Dong Yan
Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neural circuit formation during development and degeneration in aging. In my lab, We use a free-living tiny roundworm, called Caenorhabditis elegans , as a model. The defined cell lineage, completely mapped connectome and rapid life cycle of this organism greatly facilitate investigating nervous system at the subcellular resolution. Combining classic genetic analysis with in vivo live imaging technique and molecular and cellular manipulations, we are discovering conserved mechanisms playing key roles in neural circuit formation, gap junction dynamics and neurodegeneration

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2014
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments 2014
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers 2013
Affiliate of the Regeneration Next Initiative, Regeneration Next Initiative, Institutes and Centers 2016

Contact Information

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, CAS (China) 2006
Duke Appointment History
- Instructor, Temporary in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2013 - 2014
Recognition
In the News
- SEP 26, 2014
  
  Dong Yan: Molecular Players in Brain Development, Aging
Research
Selected Grants
- Genetic and Genomics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2025
- Neurobiology Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2019 - 2024
- Genetic study of gap junction formation and regulation in C. elegans neurons awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2023
- Mechanisms of neural circuit formation in C. elegans awarded by National Institutes of Health 2015 - 2020
- Genetics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 1979 - 2020
- Organization and Function of Cellular Structure awarded by National Institutes of Health 1975 - 2020
- Basic predoctoral training in neuroscience awarded by National Institutes of Health 1992 - 2018
- Regulation of the DLK-1 pathway in axon regeneration awarded by National Institutes of Health 2011 - 2017
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Zhang, Albert, Brian D. Ackley, and Dong Yan. “Vitamin B12 Regulates Glial Migration and Synapse Formation through Isoform-Specific Control of PTP-3/LAR PRTP Expression.” Cell Rep 30, no. 12 (March 24, 2020): 3981-3988.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.113.
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  - E, Lezi, Ting Zhou, Sehwon Koh, Marian Chuang, Ruchira Sharma, Nathalie Pujol, Andrew D. Chisholm, Cagla Eroglu, Hiroaki Matsunami, and Dong Yan. “An Antimicrobial Peptide and Its Neuronal Receptor Regulate Dendrite Degeneration in Aging and Infection.” Neuron 97, no. 1 (January 3, 2018): 125-138.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.001.
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  - Kurup, Naina, Dong Yan, Karina Kono, and Yishi Jin. “Differential regulation of polarized synaptic vesicle trafficking and synapse stability in neural circuit rewiring in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Plos Genet 13, no. 6 (June 2017): e1006844. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1006844.
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  - Meng, Lingfeng, Albert Zhang, Yishi Jin, and Dong Yan. “Regulation of neuronal axon specification by glia-neuron gap junctions in C. elegans.” Elife 5 (October 21, 2016). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19510.
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  - Meng, Lingfeng, Chia-hui Chen, and Dong Yan. “Regulation of Gap Junction Dynamics by UNC-44/ankyrin and UNC-33/CRMP through VAB-8 in C. elegans Neurons.” Plos Genet 12, no. 3 (March 2016): e1005948. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1005948.
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  - Wu, Qiuli, Xiou Cao, Dong Yan, Dayong Wang, and Alejandro Aballay. “Genetic Screen Reveals Link between the Maternal Effect Sterile Gene mes-1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced Neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans.” J Biol Chem 290, no. 49 (December 4, 2015): 29231–39. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M115.674259.
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  - Meng, Lingfeng, Ben Mulcahy, Steven J. Cook, Marianna Neubauer, Airong Wan, Yishi Jin, and Dong Yan. “The Cell Death Pathway Regulates Synapse Elimination through Cleavage of Gelsolin in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons.” Cell Rep 11, no. 11 (June 23, 2015): 1737–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.05.031.
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  - Kurup, Naina, Dong Yan, Alexandr Goncharov, and Yishi Jin. “Dynamic microtubules drive circuit rewiring in the absence of neurite remodeling.” Curr Biol 25, no. 12 (June 15, 2015): 1594–1605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.04.061.
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  - Yan, Dong, and Yishi Jin. “Regulation of DLK-1 kinase activity by calcium-mediated dissociation from an inhibitory isoform.” Neuron 76, no. 3 (November 8, 2012): 534–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.043.
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  - Yan, Dong, Kentaro Noma, and Yishi Jin. “Expanding views of presynaptic terminals: new findings from Caenorhabditis elegans.” Curr Opin Neurobiol 22, no. 3 (June 2012): 431–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2011.10.002.
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  - Chen, Lizhen, Zhiping Wang, Anindya Ghosh-Roy, Thomas Hubert, Dong Yan, Sean O’Rourke, Bruce Bowerman, Zilu Wu, Yishi Jin, and Andrew D. Chisholm. “Axon regeneration pathways identified by systematic genetic screening in C. elegans.” Neuron 71, no. 6 (September 22, 2011): 1043–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2011.07.009.
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  - Yan, Dong, and Yishi Jin. “Molecular and genetic approaches for the analysis of C. elegans neuronal development.” Methods Cell Biol 106 (2011): 413–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-544172-8.00015-3.
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  - Trujillo, Gloriana, Katsunori Nakata, Dong Yan, Ichi N. Maruyama, and Yishi Jin. “A ubiquitin E2 variant protein acts in axon termination and synaptogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Genetics 186, no. 1 (September 2010): 135–45. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.110.117341.
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  - Yan, Dong, Zilu Wu, Andrew D. Chisholm, and Yishi Jin. “The DLK-1 kinase promotes mRNA stability and local translation in C. elegans synapses and axon regeneration.” Cell 138, no. 5 (September 4, 2009): 1005–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2009.06.023.
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  - Yao, Hailan, Kechun Zhou, Dong Yan, Mingtao Li, and Yizheng Wang. “The Kv2.1 channels mediate neuronal apoptosis induced by excitotoxicity.” J Neurochem 108, no. 4 (February 2009): 909–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05834.x.
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  - Yan, Dong, Li Guo, and Yizheng Wang. “Requirement of dendritic Akt degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system for neuronal polarity.” J Cell Biol 174, no. 3 (July 31, 2006): 415–24. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200511028.
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  - Yang, Qiaoyun, Dong Yan, and Yizheng Wang. “K+ regulates DNA binding of transcription factors to control gene expression related to neuronal apoptosis.” Neuroreport 17, no. 11 (July 31, 2006): 1199–1204. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.wnr.0000224.
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  - Tao, Yanmei, Dong Yan, Qiaoyun Yang, Rui Zeng, and Yizheng Wang. “Low K+ promotes NF-kappaB/DNA binding in neuronal apoptosis induced by K+ loss.” Mol Cell Biol 26, no. 3 (February 2006): 1038–50. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.26.3.1038-1050.2006.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
- MGM 593: Research Independent Study 2020
- UPGEN 716S: Genetics Student Research 2020

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Recent Courses