| E-mail： meiding@whu.edu.cn |
Biography
1991-1995: B.S., Xiamen University
1999-2004: Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz
2004-2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
2008-2025: Principal Investigator, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2025-present: Professor, Wuhan University
Research
Rooted in the foundational processes of neural development, our laboratory investigates how mature neurons adapt and sustain functionality within complex and dynamic physiological environments. We are dedicated to deciphering how the nervous system maintains robust communication and coordinates with surrounding tissues when challenged by environmental shifts, metabolic variations, and aging.
Our research integrates multidisciplinary approaches—including multi-scale live imaging, molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental biology—to uncover core mechanisms governing neuronal homeostasis. A key focus lies in understanding how intercellular communication, vesicle-mediated trafficking, and organelle dynamics are reconfigured under stress.
Current research themes include:
Mitochondrial architecture and remodeling in regulating cellular plasticity.
Mechanisms of neuronal adaptation to chronic stress;
Biogenesis, transport, and uptake of extracellular vesicles;
Representative Publications
Wu Z, Pang L, Ding M*. (2025). CFI-1 functions unilaterally to restrict gap junction formation in C. elegans. Development. 152(1): dev202955. doi: 10.1242/dev.202955.
Miao Y#, Du Y#, Wang B, Liang J, Liang Y, Dang S, Liu J, Li D, He K*, Ding M*. (2024). Spatiotemporal recruitment of the ubiquitin-specific protease USP8 directs endosome maturation. elife. 13:RP96353. doi: 10.7554/elife.96353.
Guan L#, Yang Y#, Liang J#, Miao Y, Shang A, Wang B, Wang Y and Ding M* (2022). ERGIC2 and ERGIC3 regulate the ER-to-Golgi transport of gap junction proteins in metazoans. Traffic. 23(3):140-157. doi: 10.1111/tra.12830.
Cong D#, Ren J#, zhou Y, Wang S, Liang J, Ding M* and Feng W*. (2021) Motor domain-mediated autoinhibition dictates axonal transport by the kinesin UNC-104/KIF1A. PLoS Genetics doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009940.
Guan L#, Zhan Z#, Yang Y, Miao Y, Huang X, and Ding M*. (2020) Alleviating chronic ER stress by p38-Ire1-Xbp1 pathway and insulin-associated autophagy in C. elegans neurons. PLoS Genetics 16(9):e1008704.
Wang J and Ding M*. (2018) Robo and Ror function in a common receptor complex to regulate Wnt-mediated neurite outgrowth in C. elegans. PNAS doi:10.1073/pnas.1717468115.
Guan L#, Ma X#, Zhang J, Liu J, Wang Y, and Ding M*. (2016) The Calponin Family Member CHDP-1 Interacts with Rac/CED-10 to Promote Cell Protrusions. PLoS Genetics Jul 14;12(7):e1006163.
Cheng Y#, Wang J#, Wang Y, and Ding M*. (2015) Synaptotagmin 1 directs repetitive release by coupling vesicle exocytosis to the Rab3 cycle. eLife 4:e05118.
Qin J, Liang J, and Ding M*. (2014) Perlecan antagonizes collagen IV and ADAMTS9/GON-1 in restricting the growth of presynaptic boutons. Journal of Neuroscience 34(31):10311-10324.
