Shenghui He, PhD

Research Interests

Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, aging and transformation; transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of hematopoietic aging; stress-induced hematopoiesis; aging-associated hematopoietic and Immune system dysfunction

As we age, our body’s ability to make new blood cells to maintain homeostasis deteriorates. This age-dependent decline in hematopoietic system function has serious consequences as it leads to bone marrow failure and compromised adaptive immune function at advanced age, which directly and indirectly contributes to many aging-associate diseases and conditions including cancer, poor response to vaccination and increased susceptibility to serious infections. Recent studies suggest that hematopoietic aging is mainly controlled by epigenetic mechanisms and therefore potentially amenable to therapeutic interventions. Our lab uses genetically engineered mouse models and next generation DNA/RNA sequencing technology to systematically study and compare age-related changes in gene expression, chromatin organization and cellular function in multiple hematopoietic cell types, in particular hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors essential for lymphoid and myeloid differentiation. Our goal is to identify cell-type-specific and common epigenetic mechanisms that causally contribute to hematopoietic aging, in order to develop new therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat aging-associated hematopoietic diseases and immune dysfunction.

Mentor Training:

• Bias 101
• LCCC DEI Townhall Impact vs. Intention. The Importance of Collaboration When Dismantling Structural Racism
• REI Groundwater Training

Publications

• NCBI

Shenghui He in UNC Genetics News