Wei Zheng
Title:
Professor
PhD Granting Institution:
University of Arizona
Contact:
Email Address: wzheng@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-496-6447
Lab Website Link: https://hhs.purdue.edu/directory/wei-zheng/
Primary Training Group:
Integrative Neuroscience
Secondary Training Groups:
Membrane Biology
Research Areas:
(1). To explore mechanisms by which lead (Pb) exposure alters beta-amyloid transport by brain barrier systems and affects the homeostasis of beta-amyloid in the central milieu, leading to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in Alzheimer’s disease. (2) To explore mechanisms, biomarkers and chelation therapy of manganese (Mn)-induced Parkinsonian disorder, by using laboratory animal models, human cohorts and noninvasive technical assessment of cumulative Mn in human bones. (3) To explore the role of copper (Cu) in adult neurogenesis in subventricular zone (SVZ) and to understand how the choroid plexus in brain ventricles contributes to the regulation of adult neurogenesis in adjacent SVZ. (4) Transport of substances (metals, polypeptides, and drug molecules) by the blood-brain barrier and blood-CSF barrier.
Current Projects:
(1) Lead Exposure and Beta-Amyloid Transport by Brain Barriers. (2) Imaging Biomarkers of Neurotoxicity in Welders.
Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:
Dr. Zheng has had an extensive ongoing collaboration within and outside of Purdue research community. Major collaborators with ongoing and pending R01 grants are as follows: (1). Yansheng Du, Ph.D., professor of neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine and Uzay Emir, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical imaging science at Purdue. The collaboration has been in place since 2007 with Dr, Du and later with Dr. Emir in 2019. We planned to use advanced MRI technique in our unique transgenic AD mouse model to investigate Pb-caused cerebral vasculature injury and AD etiology. (2). Brad A. Racette, M.D., FAAN, professor and chair of neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ and Linda Nie, Ph.D., Professor of health physics at Purdue. The collaboration funded by a new R01 grant aims to use an advanced neutron based XRF technology in searching biomarkers for cumulative Mn exposure among welders in Wisconsin. (3). Matthew Scarpelli, Ph.D., assistant professor in medical imaging science at Purdue. Dr. Scarpelli has a unique MRI sequence to quantify blood flow and structural integrity in brain. The project will apply this technology to study the role of hypoperfusion and hypertension in Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases (ADRD). (4). Patrick Kerstein, Ph.D, assistant professor of toxicology at Purdue. the project will investigate Pb-induced ocular toxicity based on our previous experience with the lost human vision due to occupational lead poisoning.