Li Na Wei
,
Credentials
PhD

Distinguished McKnight University Professor
Faculty, MS and PhD Programs in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Biography

Bio

Dr. Wei is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor, and a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacology. She received B.S. (Botany) from National Taiwan University, M.S. (Microbiology & Immunology) from the University of Michigan, Ph.D. (Microbiology) from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and post-doctoral training (Microbiology/Medicine) from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Wei joined the Dept. Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, as an Assistant Professor in 1993, was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in 1999, and Full Professor in 2003. She was named Distinguished McKnight University Professor in 2009 till present. Since 1993, Dr. Wei has been continuously supported by multiple research projects by the NIH till today.

Research Summary

Dr. Wei's lab is interested in regulatory pathways and underlying mechanisms in diseases related to motor function, neuro-endocrine regulation, and immunity. Key targets of investigation are: a) 3D-organ cultures of neural muscular junction (NMJ) and thyroid gland, b) hypothalamus-pituitary regulation/signaling in aging/stress, c) regulation of exosome secretion by vitamin A signaling, and d) hormonal regulation of chromatin remodeling (epigenetic regulation). Major experimental systems/methods include genetic (CRISPR-edited and gene knockout) mouse and culture models, primary cultures, in vitro 3D organ cultures, and d) molecular, biochemical and biophysical methods for drug screening. The ultimate goal is to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic tools/reagents.

Contact

Contact

Address

3-124 Nils Hasselmo Hall
312 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455