Our lab investigates 1）the molecular mechanisms of memory storage, including the function of neurons and glia cells; 2) the intracellular signaling pathways of synapse formation, using techniques such as single cell RNA sequencing, genetic tools, imaging, electrophysiology, cell and molecular biology and animal behavior, etc.

Dr. Jiang obtained her bachelor’s degree in Beijing Normal University and was mentored by Dr. Xiaodong Wang at National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing during her PhD training, studying the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial apoptosis. During her PhD training, Dr. Jiang identified the key steps which control the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and developed small molecule inhibitors for mitochondrial apoptosis, which offered new insight for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Jiang performed her postdoctoral studies in Dr. Thomas Sudhof lab at Stanford University, HHMI, investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory storage and the intracellular mechanisms of synapse formation with the aid of single cell RNA sequencing, imaging, animal behavior, and cultured neuron system and techniques. Her research revealed the persistent gene expression changes associated with remote memory in both neurons and glia cells in mPFC, and identified the important signaling pathways, including JNK, PKA, and PI3K, that control synapse formation. Additionally, Dr. Jiang elucidated the molecular mechanisms of synapse formation mediated by the synaptic adhesion molecules such as Teneurin, Latrophilin.

Dr. Jiang has published research articles in world top journals such as Nature, Cell, Science, Mol Cell, PNAS, etc, including 4 first author papers. Dr. Jiang was also authorized with 1 patent, which is under translation.   

Representative papers:

Jiang X, Sando R, and Südhof TC. Multiple signaling pathways are essential for synapse formation induced by synaptic adhesion molecules. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. January 19, 2021 118 (3) e2000173118; doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000173118.

Chen MB*, Jiang X*, Quake SR#, and Südhof TC#. Persistent transcriptional programs are associated with remote memory. Nature, 2020, 587:437-442. *these authors contribute equally #co-corresponding author. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2905-5.

Sando R, Jiang X, and Südhof TC. Latrophilin GPCRs direct synapse specificity by coincident binding of FLRTs and teneurins. Science 2019, 363(6429). doi:10.1126/science.aav7969

Jiang X, Li L, Ying Z, Pan C, Huang S, Li L, Dai M, Yan B, Li M, Jiang H, Chen S, Zhang Z, and Wang X. A Small Molecule That Protects the Integrity of the Electron Transfer Chain Blocks the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway. Mol Cell 2016, 63: 229-239. (Cover Story) doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2016.06.016

Jiang X, Jiang H, Shen Z, and Wang X. Activation of mitochondrial protease OMA1 by Bax and Bak promotes cytochrome c release during apoptosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014, 111(41):14782-7. doi:10.1073/pnas.1417253111