Jianjian Shi, MD, MS

ROCK family has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, glaucoma, et al.. My current research focus is to understand the molecular basis of metabolic disorders with the aims to develop a novel therapy for insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated complications. We are focusing on ROCK isoform functions in the disease pathogenesis which is critical for design a novel therapeutic stratagem. Projects comprise the investigation of the roles of ROCK isoforms in glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and in obesity prevention/treatment; the systemic ROCK isoform knockout and kinase-dead knockin mouse models, as well as tissue-specific ROCK isoform knockout mouse models are essential and available in our laboratory. Our goal is to provide novel insight into raising translational potential of ROCK isoform-selective inhibitors for precise disease prevention and treatment.

My long term research effort on ROCK signaling pathway and metabolic disease has been strongly connected with developing treatment and prevention of human diseases through research collaborating with numerous researchers in Wells Center for Pediatric Research, IUSM or other institutions, which comprises a broad spectrum of disciplines, including heart failure, hematologic disease, immunologic disease, endocrine disease, and stem cell biology.