Rui Zhang Graduate Student, Virology and Molecular Biology Veterinary Microbiology Office Location: WCVM 2670 Phone: (306) 966-7214 Email: ruz248@mail.usask.ca

Profile

• PhD Candidate
• Supervisor: Dr. Vikram Misra
• Home Country: Beijing, China 

Academic Credentials

• MSc - College of Veterinary Medicine, China Ag University (2010)
• BSc - Veterinary Medicine -  Animal Sci and Tech SW University of China (2007)

Research Interests

Zhangfei is a basic region–leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, which has been implicated in the differentiation and death of different tumor cells. We also found, Meanwhile, Zhangfei can simultaneously turn off the three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in D-17 canine osteosarcoma cells.

We are presently investigating the effect of transcription factor Zhangfei on dog cancer cells and the molecular mechanism responsible.  We will use various dog cancer cell lines and spontaneous dog tumor cells to test the hypothesis that: Zhangfei can prevent the viability and growth of canine tumors cells and/or the development of resistance to hypoxia, radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs through inhibiting the unfolded protein response (UPR) or other molecular mechanism.