Pathology

Qing (Robert) Miao, PhD

Assistant Professor, Surgery
Division of Pediatric Surgery
Assistant Professor, Pathology
Division of Pediatric Pathology

Research Interests

Our current research has been focused on the molecular mechanisms of a new ligand-receptor pair, Nogo-B and Nogo-B receptor (NgBR), in regulating endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation during embryo development and tumor growth. In addition, we are establishing in vitro and in vivo models to dissect the molecular mechanisms of endothelial cells interacting with microenvironment niche during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, and developing therapeutic approaches to modulate Nogo-B/NgBR functions.

Professional Background

• Associate Research Scientist, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (2006 – 2007)

Educational Background

• PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (1997 – 2002)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University of Medicine, New Haven, CT (2002 – 2006)

Selected Publications

• L. Acevedo, J. Yu, H. Erdjument-Bromage, R.Q. Miao, J.E. Kim, D. Fulton, P. Tempst,  S.M.Strittmatter, W.C. Sessa. A new role for Nogo as a regulator of vascular remodeling. Nature Medicine. 10:382-388 (2004). PMID:15034570
• R.Q. Miao, Y. Gao, K.D. Harrison, J. Prendergast, L.M. Acevedo, J. Yu, F. Hu, S.M. Strittmatter, W.C. Sessa. Identification of a receptor necessary for Nogo-B stimulated chemotaxis of endothelial cells.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.103:10997-11002 (2006). PMID: 16835300
• R.Q. Miao, J. Fontana, D. Fulton, M.I. Lin, K.D. Harrison, W.C. Sessa. Dominant-negative Hsp90 reduces VEGF-stimulated nitric oxide release and migration in endothelial cells. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 28:105-111(2008).  PMID:17975117
• Harrison KD, Miao RQ, Fernandez-Hernándo C, Suárez Y, Dávalos A, Sessa WC. Nogo-B receptor stabilizes Niemann-Pick type C2 protein and regulates intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Cell Metabolism. 10(3): 208-18. (2009). PMID: 19723497
• B. Zhao, C.Z. Chun, Z. Liu, M.A. Horswill, K. Pramanik, G.A. Wilkinson, R. Ramchandran, R.Q. Miao*. Nogo-B receptor is essential for in vivo angiogenesis in zebrafish via Akt pathway. Blood, 116(24) 5423-5433. (2010). * Corresponding author.  PMID: 20813898