Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules longer than 200 base pairs, often exhibiting low conservation across species. Over 20,000 lncRNAs have been identified in the human genome, yet the functions of the majority remain poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNAs regulate a wide range of cellular processes through diverse mechanisms. My lab’s research has contributed to expanding our understanding of the roles of lncRNAs in human cardiovascular development, metabolism, and disease. In particular, we have identified key functions of the lncRNA HBL1 in regulating human cardiogenesis and the lncRNA LIPTER in mediating lipid droplet transport within human cardiomyocytes. Our research interests focus on the human-specific lncRNAs that are crucial for cardiovascular development and disease.
Dr. Lei Yang is a Professor in the department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Yang received his PhD from Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2003, and completed postdoctoral training in heart development and human stem cells at UCSD and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NYC. Dr. Yang has received several awards, including the NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2), Showalter Scholar, and the Established Investigator Award from American Heart Association (AHA). Research in Dr. Yang’s lab has focused on the heart development and translational study of human heart disease. Particularly, his laboratory utilizes a combination of human embryonic stem (ES) cells, human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, mouse model and tissue engineering approaches to study early stage human heart development, cardiovascular diseases and regeneration. Dr. Yang is currently a member of International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), and Fellow of AHA.