Yang Kong
Biosketch
The visual function relies on photoreceptors cells. Photoreceptors, as a type of neuron, are responsible for phototransduction. My research interest focuses on transcriptionally regulating the growth and development of photoreceptors by the modifiers of Nr2e3 , a nuclear receptor transcription factor that plays an important role in maintaining the balance of generating cone and rod photoreceptors. Previous studies indicated that a group of Nr2e3 modifiers could prominently rescue the retinal anomalies due to the null mutation of Nr2e3 both in mouse and in human. We have identified a group of novel Nr2e3 modifiers with mouse models that could counteract the retinopathies brought by the mutation of Nr2e3, and I am now currently investigating the molecular basis of the genetic modifier, trying to reveal how the genetic modifier functions intracelluarly to ameliorate the retinopathies.
