Feng Chen

Our laboratory studies the genetic determinants and pathogenic mechanisms of urogenital diseases with the goal of improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these diseases. We have been creating and utilizing an array of experimental and disease models in mice to study the involvement of a number of pathways (such as the calcineurin/NFAT and Wnt signaling pathways) in urogenital diseases (such as Congenital anomalies of the kidney and the urinary tract (CAKUT), glomerular diseases, and prostate cancer). We use a multi-disciplinary approach, including cutting edge genome technologies, to study the mechanisms leading from defined genetic changes to the development of benign and malignant diseases in urogenital organs. While we take advantage of the in vivo systems for studying the genetic, physiological, and pathological aspects of these diseases, we also performed experiments in ex vivo and in vitro systems to study molecular interactions and cellular behaviors, using molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry techniques. In addition to answering specific questions with clinical relevance, we are also keen on developing new genetic tools for the research community, such as new tissue-specific Cre transgenes and conditionally controllable transgenic mouse lines.