Profile

Prof. Marong Fang, Ph.D
Institute of Neuroscience,
Faculty of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
E-mail: fangmaro@zju.edu.cn
Tel: 88208160　
Prof. Fang graduated from Zhejiang Medical University in 1989, 1994, &2005. He visited the Chinese University of Hong Kong during 2003- 2005, received his Ph. D. from Zhejiang University in 2005. He worked as a postdoctoral fellowship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong & University of Hong Kong during 2005-2008. In 1996-97 he studied at Medical University of Luebeck in Germany as a visiting scholar. He serves as a reviewer for several international journals including "Toxicology letters","Microscopy Research and Technique",and"the Anatomical Record".

In particular, he is interested in elucidating the role of miRNAs in neurobiology,molecular mechanisms of spinal cord injury, and also,the role of 5-HT and its receptors along brain-gut axis in IBS models with visceral hypersensitivity mechanisms.
Main approaches used: Primary cultured neurons, or PC12 & SK-N-SH cell lines; In Situ hybridization with fluorescent LNAs probes; Synapse immunolabeling, morphological studies using confocal microscopy and electron microscopy, immuno- histochemistry and electron microscopy; Real-time PCR detection of matured miRNAs; Western blotting f, gene transfection using miRNAs mimics or inhibitors.
Ongoing projects:
The role of miRNAs in AD pathogenesis :MicroRNAs are recently-discovered small regulatory RNAs that play fundamental roles in neurobiology. Preliminary results indicate that decreased expression of some particular miRNAs, i.e. miR-29 and 107 may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. These are the first published data pertaining to miRNAs in a specific pathway that may contribute to AD. He is testing one specific strategy to target this pathway for AD therapy,to characterize fully the regulation of BACE1 by miRNAs.

Publications;
1. Fang M, Wang J, Zhang X, Geng Y, Hu Z, Rudd JA, Ling S, Chen W, Han S. The miR-124 regulates the expression of BACE1/β-secretase correlated with cell death in Alzheimer's disease. Toxicol Lett. 2012 Feb 25;209(1):94-105.
2. Fang M, Wang J, Han S, Hu Z, Zhan JB, Ling S, Rudd JA, Geng Y. Protective effects of ω-conotoxin on amyloid-β-induced damage in PC12 cells. Toxicol Lett. 2011 ;206(3):325-38.
3. Ling S, Zhou J, Rudd JA, Hu Z, Fang M*. The recent updates of therapeutic approaches against aβ for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2011;294(8):1307-18. 4. Fang M, Li J, Lu G, Gong X, Yew DT. A fMRI study of age-related differential cortical patterns during cued motor movement. Brain Topogr. 2005 Spring;17(3):127-37.
5. Fang M, Li J, Tiu SC, Zhang L, Wang M, Yew DT. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease and multiinfarct dementia. J Neurosci Res. 2005 Jul 15;81(2):269-74.
6. Han S, Rudd JA, Hu ZY, Zhang L, Yew DT, Fang M*. Analysis of neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression and increasing astrogliosis in the brain of senescence-accelerated-prone 8 mice. Int J Neurosci. 2010;120(9):602-8.
7. Fang M, Yin Y, Chen H, Hu Z, Davies H, Ling S. Contribution of Rag1 to spatial memory ability in rats. Behav Brain Res. 2013 Jan 1;236(1):200-9.
8. Fang M, Huang JY, Wang J, Ling SC, Rudd JA, Hu ZY, Xu LH, Yuan ZG, Han S. Anti-neuroinflammatory and neurotrophic effects of combined therapy with annexin II and Reg-2 on injured spinal cord. Neurosignals. 2011;19(1):16-43 .
9. Fang M, Wang J, Huang JY, Ling SC, Rudd JA, Hu ZY, Yew DT, Han S. The neuroprotective effects of Reg-2 following spinal cord transection injury. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2011;294(1):24-45.
10. Fang M, Huang JY, Ling SC, Rudd JA, Yew DT, Han S. Effects of Reg-2 on survival of spinal cord neurons in vitro. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2010;293(3):464-76.
11． Fang M, Hu Z, Li Y, Li J, Yew DT, Ling S. Nestin positive cells in the retina and spinal cord of the sturgeon after hypoxia. Int J Neurosci. 2009;119(4):460-70.
12. Hu X, Li Y, Hu Z, Rudd JA, Ling S, Jiang F, Davies H, Fang M*. The alteration of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors is involved in neuronal apoptosis of goldfish cerebellum following traumatic experience. Neurochem Int. 2012 ;61(2):207-18
13 . Ling S, Zhou J, Rudd JA, Hu Z, Fang M*. The expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the brain of the mouse during embryogenesis. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2012 ;295(3):504-14.
14. Hu Z, Rudd JA, Fang M*. Development of the human corpus striatum and the presence of nNOS and 5-HT2A receptors. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2012;295(1):127-31.
15. Fang M, Li J, Rudd JA, Wai SM, Yew JC, Yew DT. fMRI mapping of cortical centers following visual stimulation in postnatal pigs of different ages. Life Sci. 2006;78(11):1197-201.
16. Fang M, Lorke DE, Li J, Gong X, Yew JC, Yew DT. Postnatal changes in functional activities of the pig's brain: a combined functional magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistochemical study. Neurosignals. 2005;14(5):222-33 .
17. Fang M, Li J, Gong X, Antonio G, Lee F, Kwong WH, Wai SM, Yew DT. Myelination of the pig‘s brain: a correlated MRI and histological study. Neurosignals.2005;14(3):102-8. IF =2.111
18. Fang M, Zhang L, Li J, Wang C, Chung CH, Wai SM, Yew DT. The postnatal development of the cerebellum- a fMRI and silver study. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2005;25(6):1043-50.
19. Fang M, Li J, Wai SM, Kwong WH, Kung LS, Yew DT. Retinal twin cones or retinal double cones in fish: misnomer or different morphological forms? Int J Neurosci. 2005;115(7):981-7.
20. Fang M, Li J, Kwong WH, Kindler P, Lu G, Wai SM, Yew DT. The complexity of the visual cells and visual pathways of the sturgeon. Microsc Res Tech. 2004;65(3):122-9.