Xiuqian Mu MD, PhD

Xiuqian Mu

Xiuqian Mu
MD, PhD

Professor

Department of Ophthalmology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cell growth, differentiation and development; Developmental Biology; Epigenetics; Gene Expression; Genomics and proteomics; Models - cell and animal; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Transcription Factors; Transcriptomics; Vision science

Contact Information
955 Main Street
Rm 4124
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-881-7463
xmu@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

My lab is interested in the fundamental mechanisms underlying cell specification and differentiation in the central nervous system during embryonic development. We use the neural retina as our model system to address this question. Our efforts have been on identifying key regulators and uncovering their roles in individual cell lineages. Our recent focus is on how transcription factors interact with the epigenome to promote the formation of retinal ganglion cells. We are also investigating how posttranscriptional control of gene expression affects retinal cell differentiation. We conduct our research with a combined approach of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, histology, transcriptomics, epigenomics, single-cell technologies, and bioinformatics.

Education and Training:

  • MD, Medicine, Qingdao Medical College
  • PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking Union Medical College

Employment:

  • Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biological Sciences (2022-present)
  • Associate Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biological Sciences (2015–2022)
  • Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biological Sciences (2008–2015)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (2003–2008)
  • Instructor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (2002–2003)
  • Research Associate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (1999–2001)
  • Visiting Fellow, National Institutes of Health (1994–1999)

Research Expertise:

  • Developmental biology: mouse retinal development, neural development, cell fate specification, cell differentiation
  • Genomics and Transcriptomics: genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, single cell RNA-seq, single cell ATAC-seq, CUT&Tag
  • Molecular biology: gene regulation, transcription factors, enhancers, epigenetics, post-transcriptional regulation
  • Mouse genetics: genetically modified mice, gene targeting, CRISPR/cas9, genetic labeling

Research Centers:

  • Ira G. Ross Eye Institute Research Center

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:

  • Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • August 2023–April 2028
    Regulatory mechanisms for retinal ganglion cell genesis
    National Eye Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,311,139
  • April 2020–March 2024
    Regulation of mRNA decay in retinal development and maintenance
    National Eye Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,024,085
  • September 2017–May 2023
    Regulatory mechanisms for retinal ganglion cell genesis
    National Eye Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,960,167
  • June 2016–May 2018
    Generation of retinal ganglion cells by direct reprograming
    BrightFocus Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $150,000
  • March 2011–February 2016
    Interaction of Isl1 and Pou4f2 in retinal development
    National Eye Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,950,000
  • January 2013–December 2014
    Function of Onecut transcription factors in retinal development and vision
    SUNY Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • January 2010–December 2013
    Molecular mechanism for the formation of retinal ganglion cells
    The Whitehall Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $225,000
  • January 2009–December 2009
    Math5 target genes in retinal ganglion cell formation
    The Glaucoma Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $40,000
  • July 2005–June 2007
    Investigating retinal ganglion cell development using purified progenitor cells
    The E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $210,000

Journal Articles:

See all (32 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO); Member
  • Society for Neuroscience (SFN); Member
  • International Society for Eye Research (ISER); Member

Presentations:

  • "Genes and disease" Invited lecture at Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China (2023)
  • "Mechanism Underlying Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis and Perspective of Its Application in Developing Cell Replacement Therapies for Degenerative Retinal Diseases" Invited lecture at Qingdao University School of Pharmacy (2023)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis During Development" Invited lecture at Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine (2023)
  • "The Oculoauricular Syndrome Gene Hmx1 is Required for Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Differentiation" Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting (2023)
  • "Genetic and epigenetic regulation of vertebrate retinal cell differentiation" Invited lecture at the University of Dayton (2023)
  • "Regulation of mRNA decay in retinal development and maintenance" UB Ophthalmology Departmental Data Club (2023)
  • "Interactions of key transcription factors with the epigenome in controlling retinal cell differentiation" UB GGB Program Annual Research Day (2023)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Cell Differentiation" Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • "Interaction of Transcription Factors with the Epigenetic Landscape in Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Grand rounds, Ophthalmology (2022)
  • "Key Transcription Factors Interact with and Influence the Epigenetic Landscape to Promote Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Gordon Conference on Visual System Development (2022)
  • "Deciding a fate: how key transcription factors interact with the epigenetic landscape to promote retinal ganglion cell genesis" Baylor College of Medicine (2022)
  • "Genetic and epigenetic control of retinal cell differentiation" Augusta University (2022)
  • "Key transcription factors compete to influence the epigenetic landscape and drive retinal progenitors to distinct fates" Joined Ophthalmology lab meeting (2022)
  • "Key Transcription Factors Interact with and Influence the Epigenetic Landscape to Promote Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting (2022)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Medical College of Wisconsin (2022)
  • "The Molecular Mechanisms for the Oculoauricular Syndrome" Grand rounds, Ophthalmology (2022)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard University (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Department of Ophthalmology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (2021)
  • "The shifting epigenetic landscape along the developmental trajectory of retinal ganglion cells" Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 2021. Virtual online; Oral presentation. (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Stein Eye Institute, UCLA (2021)
  • "Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Genesis" Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan (2021)
See all (15 more)

Service Activities:

  • The Chancellor’s Distinguished Dissertation Award of SUNY; Judge (2023)
  • Moorfields Eye Charity, the United Kingdom; Grant reviewer (2023)
  • DISTINGUISHED LECTURES IN VISION SCIENCE; Host (2023)
  • Experimental Eye Research; eNeuro; Developmental Cell, Developmental Dynamics; Reviewer (2023)
  • Best presentation awards for Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics (GGB) Research Day; Judge (2023)
  • Medical Research Council; Reviewer (2022)
  • Retinal Development paper session, ARVO annual meeting, Dever; Session Moderator (2022)
  • Biology and Development of the Eye (BDE) study section, NIH; Regular Member (2021–present)
  • Neurogenomics section, Frontiers in Genetics, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Frontiers in Neurology; Member (2021–present)
  • Provide advice to The Gene Targeting and Transgenic Shared Resource Advisory Committee (SRAC), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and advocate for the interests of UB users; Member (2019–present)
  • PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS); Applicants interviewer (2019–present)
  • Tenure and Promotion Committee; Member (2016–present)
  • Developmental Dynamics; Member (2015–present)

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Contact Information

955 Main Street
Rm 4124
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-881-7463
xmu@buffalo.edu