Dr. Huai (Howard) Deng

Haui Deng Photo
Professional Title
Associate Professor

Education

  • Postdoc at University of Michigan, HHMI
  • Ph.D at Iowa State University
  • M.S. at Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • B.S. at Wuhan University

Research

My laboratory is broadly interested in the molecular mechanisms that mediate developmental adaptations to environmental toxins. In particular, our research focuses on the Keap1-Nrf2 oxidative and xenobiotic response pathway using Drosophila as a model system. We use a combination of imaging, genetic, and molecular approaches to investigate novel functions of these factors in three major areas: (1) transcriptional responses to different signals, (2) epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure, and (3) regulation of developmental programs. These studies will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular and biological functions of Keap1/Nrf2 factors and their roles in human diseases. 

In addition, my laboratory is interested in developing fluorescence imaging tools to visualize protein complexes on chromatin and using these approaches to investigate how interactions among transcriptionfactors and chromatin modifiers regulate chromatin organization and gene expression.

Teaching

  •  BIOL 3100 Cell Biology
  •  BIOL 4199 Frontiers in Cell Biology
  • BIOL 4231 Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 3987 Communication in Biology

Select Publications

  • Ji G, Cross B, Killmer T, Enders B, Neidviecky E, Huber H, Lynch G, Deng H (2026) Drosophila Keap1 Proteins Assemble Nuclear Condensates in Response to Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants 15:134
  •  Carlson J, Neidviecky E, Cook I, Cross B, Deng H (2024) Interaction with B-type lamin reveals the function of Drosophila Keap1 xenobiotic response factor in nuclear architecture. Molecular Biology Reports 51:556
  • Neidviecky E, Deng H (2023) Determination of Complex Formation between Drosophila Nrf2 and GATA4 Factors at Selective Chromatin Loci Demonstrates Transcription Coactivation. Cells 12:938
  • Carlson J, Price L, Cook I, Deng H (2022) Drosophila Keap1 xenobiotic response factor regulates developmental transcription through binding to chromatin. Developmental Biology 481:139-147
  • Carlson J, Price L, Deng H (2020) Nrf2 and the Nrf2-Interacting Network in Respiratory Inflammation and Diseases. Nrf2 and its Modulation in Inflammation. Progress in Inflammation 85: 51–76
  • Carlson J, Swisse T, Smith C, Deng H (2019) Regulation of position effect variegation at pericentric heterochromatin by Drosophila Keap1-Nrf2 xenobiotic response factors. Genesis e23290
  • Deng H, Kerppola TK (2017) Visualization of the genomic loci that are bound by specific multiprotein complexes by bimolecular
    fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis on Drosophila polytene chromosomes. Methods in Enzymology 589:429-455
  • Deng H, Kerppola TK (2014) Visualization of the Drosophila dKeap1- CncC interaction on chromatin illumines cooperative, xenobiotic- specific gene activation. Development 141:3277-3288
  • Deng H (2014) Multiple roles of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling: Regulation of development and xenobiotic response using distinct mechanisms. Fly 8:1
  • Deng H, Kerppola TK (2013) Regulation of Drosophila metamorphosis by xenobiotic response regulators. PLoS Genet
    9:e1003263
  • Deng H, Wang C, Lerach S, Delattre M, Girton J, Johansen J, Johansen KM (2010) JIL- and Su(var)3-7 interact genetically and counteract each other's effect on position effect variegation in Drosophila. Genetics 185:1183-1192
  • Johansen KM, Cai W, Deng H, Bao X, Zhang W, Girton J, Johansen J (2009) Polytene chromosome squash methods for studying transcription and epigenetic chromatin modification in Drosophila using antibodies. Methods 48:387-398
  • Deng H, Bao X, Cai W, Blacketer M, Belmont AS, Girton J, Johansen J, Johansen KM (2007) Reduced levels of Su(var) 3-9 but not Su(var) 2-5 (HP1) counteract the effects on chromatin structure and viability in loss-of-function mutants of the JIL-1 histone H3S10 kinase. Genetics 177: 79-87
  • Deng H, Zhang W, Bao X, Martin JN, Girton J, Johansen J, Johansen KM (2005) The JIL-1 kinases regulates the structure of Drosophila polytene chromosomes. Chromosoma 114:173-182

Current Graduate Student Project

  • Guanye Ji, PhD Integrated Biosciences

Hobbies

  • Travels and watching movies