Hong Wang's research group site
Education and Training
- 1991, B.S., Materials Science, Zhejiang University, P.R. China
- 2003, Ph.D., Materials Science and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
- 2004-2008, Postdoctoral training in DNA repair and single-molecule imaging, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, United States
- 2008-2011, Postdoctoral training in telomere biology and single-molecule imaging, University of Pittsburgh, United States
Areas of Interest
My current research focuses on single-molecule experimental investigations of the structure-function
relationships that govern the maintenance of telomeres. Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that
cap the ends of linear chromosomes. Dysfunctional telomeres are important contributing factors in
aging and tumorigenesis. Telomeric DNA sequences show a higher susceptibility to certain DNA damaging
agents than random DNA sequences. The goal of my current research is to use two highly innovative and
complementary single-molecule imaging techniques (atomic force microscopy and fluorescence imaging)
together with quantum dot labeled proteins to investigate the effects of DNA damage on the conformational
and dynamic properties of telomeric DNA structure and telomere binding proteins. To study dynamic
protein-DNA interactions in real time and at the single-molecule level, we developed a unique DNA
tight-rope assay. This assay enabled us to visualize DNA in its extended form several micrometers
above the surface and to observe movements of individual proteins with up to 17 nm positional
accuracy and 50 ms temporal resolution using oblique-angle fluorescence microscopy.
Recent Publications
Fronczek, D, Quammen, C., Wang, H., Kisker, C., Superfine R., Taylor, R., Erie, D.A., Tessmer, I,
(2011)
FIONA-AFM hybrid imaging with nm accuracy.
Ultramicroscopy, 111(5):350-5
Wang, H., Nora, G.J., Ghodke H., Opresko P.L.,
(2011)
Single molecule studies of physiologicaly relevant telomeric tails reveals POT1 mechanism for promoting G-quadruplex unfolding,
J Biol Chem., Mar 4;286(9):7479-89.
Kad, N., Wang, H., Kennedy, G.G., Warshaw, D.M., Van Houten, B.
(2010).
Collaborative dynamic DNA scanning by nucleotide excision repair proteins investigated by single-molecule fluorescence imaging of quantum dot labeled proteins.
Molecular Cell 2010 Mar 12;37(5):702-13
Sowd, G., Wang, H., Pretto, D., Chazin, W.J., Opresko, P.L.
(2009).
Replication protein A stimulates the werner syndrome protein branch migration activity.
J Biol Chem., 11;284(50):34682-91
Opresko, P.L., Sowd, G., and Wang, H.
(2009).
The Werner syndrome helicase/exonuclease processes mobile D-loops through branch migration and degradation.
PLoS ONE 4, e4825. PMC2653227
Christensen, L.A., Wang, H., Van Houten, B., and Vasquez, K.M.
(2008).
Efficient processing of TFO-directed psoralen DNA interstrand crosslinks by the UvrABC nuclease.
Nucleic Acids Res 36, 7136-7145.
Wang, H., Tessmer, I., Croteau, D.L., Erie, D.A., and Van Houten, B.
(2008).
Functional characterization and atomic force microscopy of a DNA repair protein conjugated to a quantum dot.
Nano Lett 8, 1631-1637.
Wang, H., DellaVecchia, M.J., Skorvaga, M., Croteau, D.L., Erie, D.A. and Van Houten, B.
(2006)
UvrB domain 4, an autoinhibitory gate for regulation of DNA binding and ATPase activity.
J Biol Chem, 281, 15227-15237.
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