University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · BiologyZincCell Initiative
Wen-Hong Li · Dallas, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Wen-Hong Li's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center studies the role of a protein called ZnT8 in pancreatic islet cells, which are crucial for insulin production. The research aims to understand how ZnT8 functions in relation to diabetes, particularly in preserving the health of insulin-producing beta cells. By exploring the mechanisms of ZnT8, the lab aims to develop new treatments that could prevent or reverse diabetes.
ZnT8diabetesislet cellsbeta cellsinsulin resistancemolecular biologymembrane transporttherapeutic strategiesprotein biochemistry
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the molecular mechanisms of ZnT8 in pancreatic islet cells.
AIM 02Characterize the novel transport activities of ZnT8 proteins.
AIM 03Identify endogenous substrates transported by ZnT8.
AIM 04Develop small organic molecule inhibitors targeting ZnT8 for beta cell protection.
AIM 05Explore new therapeutic strategies for preventing and treating diabetes.
Skills the Lab Values
molecular cloningprotein biochemistrycell culturehigh throughput screeningmetabolomicsbiochemical assaysT-cell assaystransfectiondata analysis
Output against the department
Publications233top 26% of dept.271st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.3ktop 41% of dept.420th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.