Shaorong Gao, Ph.D.
Education
1993 B.S. Department of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
1996 M.Sc Department of Animal Science and Technology of China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
2000 PH.D. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Professional Experience
2013-present Professor, Tongji University School of Life Sciences and Technology
2011-2012 Associate Investigator, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
2005-2011 Assistant Investigator, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
2004-2005 Assistant Professor at University of Connecticut ,USA
2004 Associate Scientist at Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology , Temple University School of Medicine ,USA
2002-2004 Post-doctoral Scientist at Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology , Temple University School of Medicine , USA
2000-2002 Post-doctoral Scientist at Department of Gene Expression& Development of Roslin Institute, Britain
1998-2000 Research Associate at Division of Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Women or Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Brown University School of Medicine , USA
Research Description
Our long-term goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of somatic cell reprogramming mediated by either somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or over-expression of defined transcription factors which are highly enriched in the embryonic stem cells (ESCs). By using an inducible iPS system, we are trying to explore the molecular events governing the cell fate conversion. Recently, we have proved the full pluripotency of iPS cells through tetraploid complementation and this achievement has been selected by Times as one of the top ten medical breakthroughs worldwide in 2009. Meanwhile, we are trying to understand the role of specific proteins identified in oocytes in the process of reprogramming. Recently, embryonic stem cells are proposed as promising for therapeutic purpose. We have successfully established patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by over-expressing defined transcription factors. We are performing in vitro differentiation studies and further exploring the feasibilities of utilizing these cells clinically.
Overall, our research will focus on:
1. Understanding the molecular mechanism of somatic cell reprogramming mediated by SCNT and iPS approaches.
2. Establishment of patient specific pluripotent stem cell lines and further investigating the clinical application of these reprogrammed cells.
