Xiaoming Zhang, MD, PhD

Associate professor

M.D.: 1982, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Ph.D.: 1993, University of Kansas Medical Center
Postdoctoral: University of California at Irvine

e-mail: mzhang2@kumc.edu
Office phone: 913-588-6967

Research
Cell and developmental biology topics such as tissue dynamics, patterning process, structure and function of extracellular matrix (ECM), stem cell differentiation, and regeneration. We use a fresh water cnadarium, hydra, as an animal model. We use a wide variety of research techniques including tissue grafting, microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and molecular biology.

Teaching
Lecture and lab instruction to medical students in medical human anatomy and medical histology classes.

Awards

• Student Voice Award for Teaching Excellence, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009, University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Medicine.
• Chancellor’s award for teaching excellence, 2005, University of Kansas.

Recent Publications

• Shimizu H, Aufschnaiter R, Li L, SarrasMP Jr, Borza DB, Abrahamson DR, Sado Y, and Zhang X. (2008). The extracellular matrix of hydra is a porous sheet and contains type IV collagen. Zoology. 111:410-418
• Shimizu H, Takaku Y, Zhang X, and Fujisawa T.  (2007). The aboral pore of hydra: evidence that the digestive tract of hydra is a tube not a sac. Dev Genes Evol 217:563–568
• Zhang X, Boot-Handford RP, Huxley-Jones J, Forse LN, Mould AP, Robertson DL, Li L, Athiyal M, and Sarras MP, Jr. (2007). The collagens of hydra provide insight into the evolution of metazoan extracellular matrices. J Biol Chem. 282(9):6792-802
• Thummel R, Bai S, Sarras MP Jr, Song P, McDermott J, Brewer J, Perry M, Zhang X, Hyde DR, Godwin AR. 2006. Inhibition of zebrafish fin regeneration using in vivo electroporation of morpholinos against fgfr1 and msxb. Dev Dyn. 235(2):336-46.
• Sharma D, Holets L, Zhang X, Kinsey WH. (2005) Role of Fyn kinase in signaling associated with epiboly during zebrafish development. Dev Biol. 15:462-76.
• Zhang X, Reinsvold P, Thibeault DW, Ekekezie II, Rezaiekhaligh M, Mabry SM, Buch S, Truog WE. (2005). Responses of pulmonary platelet-derived growth factor peptides and receptors to hyperoxia and nitric oxide in piglet lungs. Pediatr Res. 57(4):523-9.
• Tsai WB, Zhang X, Sharma D, Wu W, Kinsey WH. (2005) Role of Yes kinase during early zebrafish development. Dev Biol. 1:129-41.
• Zhang J, Bai S, Zhang X, Nagase H, Sarras, MP. (2003) The expression of novel membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase isoforms is required for normal development of zebrafish embryos. Matrix Biol. 22(3):279-93.
• Zhang, X., Fei, K., Agbas, A., Yan, L., Zhang, J., O’Reilly, B., Deutzmann R., and Sarras M.P.Jr. (2002). Structure and function of an early divergent form of laminin in hydra: a structurally conserved ECM component that is essential for epithelial morphogenesis. Dev Genes Evol. 212:159-172.
• Shimizu, H., Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Leontovich, A., Fei, K., Yan, L., and Sarras, M.P.Jr. (2002) Epithelial morphogenesis in hydra requires de novo expression of extracellular matrix components and matrix metalloproteinases. Development. 15(6):1521-1532.
• Fowler, SJ, Jose S, Zhang X, Deutzmann R, Sarras MP, Boot-Handford RP. (2000). Characterization of hydra type IV collagen. Type IV collagen is essential for head regeneration and its expression is up-regulated upon exposure to glucose. J. Biol. Chem. 275(50):39589-99
• Deutzmann, R, Fowler S, Zhang X , Boone K, Dexter S, Boot-Handford RP, Rachel R, Sarras MP. (2000). Molecular, biochemical and functional analysis of a novel and developmentally important fibrillar collagen (Hcol-I) in hydra. Development 127(21): 4669-80