Welcome

The Zheng lab is devoted to obtaining a better understanding of the regulation and mechanisms of action of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The Hh signaling pathway is required for cell differentiation and organizes pattern formation in a variety of embryonic tissues. In the adult, Hh signaling remains active in some organs where it has been implicated in the regulation of stem-cell maintenance and proliferation. Hh pathway dysfunction thus can lead to embryonic pattern disruptions, such as holoprosencephaly and other birth defects in humans; post-embryonic dysfunction can result in failure of adult tissue regeneration as well as proliferative disorders, such as cancer.