Current Research Team

Jinxi Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Harrington Distinguished Professor
Director, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics
Tel: 913-588-0870
Fax: 913-945-7773
jwang@kumc.edu

Major research interests: As a principal investigator, my major research interests are to study the regulatory mechanisms by which pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into osteoblasts or chondrocytes and investigate the role of specific signaling (e.g., Wnt, BMP, integrin, and NFAT) pathways in bone/cartilage regeneration and in specific diseases such as osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis.

Brent Furomoto, M.S.
Research Assistant
Tel: 913-588-0871
Fax: 913-945-7773
bfuromoto@kumc.edu

Projects and Responsibilities: As a research assistant in the Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, I am working on two projects: (1) the role of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration; (2) pathogenetic mechanisms and novel therapeutics for osteoarthritis. I am responsible for RNA isolation from human and animal cell/tissue samples, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, cell culture, obtaining consent and acquiring human tissue samples, management of laboratory finances, preparation of figures, and editing of manuscripts.

Qinghua Lu, B.S.
Senior Research Associate
Tel: 913-588-0871
Fax: 913-945-7773
qlu@kumc.edu

Projects and Responsibilities: My research expertise lies in bone/cartilage histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, tissue/cell culture, genotyping of transgenic mice, and assistance with animal surgery and care. Currently, I am working on the following projects: (1) bone sialoprotein (BSP) and biomaterial stimulated bone regeneration, (2) pathogenetic mechanisms of osteoarthritis, and (3) articular cartilage repair.

Mingcai Zhang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Tel: 913-588-0871
Fax: 913-945-7773
mzhang@kumc.edu

Projects and Responsibilities: My current research is focused on two projects: (1) the role of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in osteogenesis and bone regeneration; (2) the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. My general bench work involves preparation of shRNA and cDNA lentiviral constructs for stable knockdown and forced expression of target genes, respectively, preparation of luciferase reporter constructs to assess transcriptional activity, cell culture, total RNA isolation and qPCR analysis, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, etc. I am also responsible for supervision of medical students and graduate students in the laboratory.

M. Kareem Shaath, B.A.
Medical Student
mshaath@kumc.edu

Projects and Responsibilities: Kareem Shaath worked in the Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics as a research assistant prior to his medical education at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Currently, he is working on the osteoarthritis project in the laboratory as a medical student.

Jamie D. Crist, B.S.
Medical Student
jcrist@kumc.edu

Projects and Responsibilities: Jamie Crist worked in the Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics as a research assistant prior to his medical education at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Currently, he is studying the molecular regulation of articular chondrocyte function in the laboratory as a medical student.