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Dianzheng Zhang, PhD

  
  Assistant Professor
  Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
  Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Room 411, Evans Hall
  4170 City Avenue
  Philadelphia, PA 19131
  (215) 871-6588 (voice)
  (215) 871-6865 (fax)
  dianzhengzh@pcom.edu
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Education
  • PhD Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona
  • MS Biochemistry, Hunan Medical University
  • BS Chemistry, Qufu Teaching University
 
Dr. Dianzheng Zhang assumed an Assistant Professor position in the Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at PCOM in 2006 after three and a half years of postdoctoral research in the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine.
 
Dr. Zhang's general research interests are in the nutrient control of gene expression (transcriptional and translational) in health and diseases. As living organisms we continuously exchange chemical components with the environment; through this exchange, nutrients are implicated in the regulation of gene expression and cell fates, which ultimately confer life or death. With increasing knowledge of the importance of nutrition in our aging population, medicine is shifting its focus from the treatment of acute diseases to the prevention of cancer and chronic diseases. It has been estimated that thirty percent of all cancers could be prevented by attention to dietary factors. Dr. Zhang is particularly interested in the regulation of gene expression by micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as well as phytochemicals. Presently, Dr. Zhang's research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of different phytochemicals in prostate cancer chemoprevention. Presently, there is a technician, an MS student and a second year DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) student working in Dr. Zhang's laboratory.
 
In addition, Dr. Zhang has recently accepted a visiting professor position at the Central South University in the People's Republic of China, which will foster international collaborations in both medical teaching and research.
 
 
 
Publications
 
Zhang, D., Cho, E. and Wong, J. (2007) A critical role for the co-repressor N-CoR in
    erythroid differentiation and heme synthesis. Cell Research 17 (9): 804-14
 
Li, J., Zhang, D., Fu, J., Huang, Z. and Wong, J. (2007) Structural and functional analysis of
    androgen receptor in chromatin. Molecular Endocrinology (2007 Jan 16, Epub ahead
    of print)
 
Geiser D.L., Zhang, D., Winzerling, J. J. (2006) Secreted ferritin: Mosquito defense against
    iron overload? Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 36 (3): 177-187
 
Zhang, D., Yoon, H. and Wong, J. (2005) JMJD2A is a novel N-CoR interacting protein and is
    involved in repression of the human transcription factor Achaete Scute-Like Homologue-2
    (ASCL2/HASH2). Molecular and Cellular Biology 25 (15): 6404-6414
 
Thompson, P. R., Wang, D., Wang, L., Fulco, M., Pediconi, N., Zhang, D., An, W., Ge Q.,
    Roeder, R.G., Wong, J., Levrero M., Sartorelli V., Cotter R. J., Cole P.A. (2004) Regulation
    of the p300 HAT domain via a novel activation loop. Nature Structural and Molecular
    Biology
11(4): 308-415
 
Mayo, J., Kohlhepp, E., Zhang, D., and Winzerling, J. (2004) Effects of Sham air and
    cigarette smoke on A549 lung cells implications for iron-mediated oxidative damage.
    American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
    284(4): L866-876
 
Zhang, D., Dimopoulos, G., Wolf, A., Minana, B., Kafatos, F., and Winzerling, J. (2002)
    Cloning and molecular characterization of two mosquito iron regulatory protein 1
    genes. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 32 (5): 579-589
 
Gailer, J., George, G., Pickering, I., Prince R., Kohlhepp, P., Zhang, D., F. Walker, A. and
    Winzerling, J. (2001) Human cytosolic iron regulatory protein 1 contains a linear
    iron-sulfur cluster. Journal of American Chemical Society 123 (41): 10121-10122
 
Zhang, D., Albert, D., Kohlhepp P., Pham, D. Q-D., and Winzerling, J. J. (2001) Repression
    of Manduca sexta ferritin synthesis by IRP1/IRE interaction. Insect Molecular Biology
    10(6): 531-539
 
Zhang, D., Ferris, C., Gailer, J., Kohlhepp, P., and Winzerling, J. (2001) Manduca sexta IRP1:
    Molecular characterization and in vivo response to iron. Insect Biochemistry and
    Molecular Biology
32 (1): 85-96
 
 
Click here for a full list of Dr. Zhang's publications.

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