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Zhihua Han, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor 
Contact Information:
 J. H. Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU
Department of Biochemistry and Mol. Biol.
Box 70581, Johnson City TN 37614

Phone:  Lab-(423) 439-2020
            Office-(423) 439-2125
FAX: (423) 439-2030
email: Han@etsu.edu 
Room A130, Building 178, VA Campus
Education
1987 - Peking University, China; BS, Biochemistry
1989 - Peking University, China; MS, Plant Mol. Biology
1997 - University of California, San Diego;  PhD, Biology


Research Interests

My research is centered on genes and pathways that contribute to atherosclerosis. Genetic study in mice strains with varying degrees of atherosclerosis propensity has revealed loci that influence atherosclerosis in mouse models. The HspA12A, a distant member of Hsp70 family, is a candidate gene on one of these loci. HspA12A was identified through microarray study comparing peritoneal macrophage expressions, and enriched in atherosclerotic lesion. We are currently studying the function of HspA12A and mechanisms by which it influences the atherosclerosis propensity. Besides making transgenic and knockout mutations in mice, we are studying HspA12A's induction, cellular distribution, associated protein(s), and biochemical functions.

References

HSPA12B is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells and required for angiogenesis.
Steagall RJ, Rusiñol AE, Truong QA, Han Z. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006 Sep;26(9):2012-8. Epub 2006 Jul 6. PMID: 16825593 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Related Articles Free article at journal site
Han Z, Truong QA, Park S, Breslow JL. Related Articles
Two Hsp70 family members expressed in atherosclerotic lesions.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Feb 4;100(3):1256-61. Epub 2003 Jan 27.
PMID: 12552099 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Han Z, Heath SC, Shmulewitz D, Li W, Auerbach SB, Blundell ML, Lehner T, Ott J, Stoffel M, Friedman JM, Breslow JL. Related Articles
Candidate genes involved in cardiovascular risk factors by a family-based association study on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia.
Am J Med Genet. 2002 Jul 1;110(3):234-42.
PMID: 12116231 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
De Oliveira e Silva ER, Kong M, Han Z, Starr C, Kass EM, Juo SH, Foster D, Dansky HM, Merkel M, Cundey K, Brinton EA, Breslow JL, Smith JD. Related Articles
Metabolic and genetic determinants of HDL metabolism and hepatic lipase activity in normolipidemic females.
J Lipid Res. 1999 Jul;40(7):1211-21.
PMID: 10393206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]