Adjunct Professor, Departments of Molecular Cellular Biochemistry, Pathology, Otolaryngology, and Vet. Biosci., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

The main focus of Dr. Chang’s laboratory is to better understand how tumor suppressor genes are regulated and function during development and tumorigenesis. His laboratory is interested in the function and regulation of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene. Recent studies show that mutations in the NF2 gene are associated with vestibular schwannoma formation. Together with D. Bradley Welling, MD, PhD, Department of Otolaryngology, Dr. Chang is studying the molecular mechanism by which the NF2 gene acts to prevent tumor formation. In addition, the laboratory is examining the regulation of the NF2 gene during nervous system development and the role of the NF2 protein during neural tube closure and neural crest cell migration.

Dr. Chang’s laboratory is also elucidating the regulatory mechanisms governing the expression of the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb) and related p107 genes. Dr. Chang’s group is examining how the Rb-family suppressor proteins and E2F-family transcription factors interplay to modulate gene expression during cell cycle and development. Additionally, his laboratory is studying the neural-specific serotonin 5-HT2C receptor, which plays important roles in epilepsy and obesity.