Changjian Feng
Professor
University of New Mexico
USA
Biography
Dr. Feng is an expert in biochemistry and biophysics of metalloproteins. He has authored > 90 scientific manuscripts. He is an active NIH reviewer, and also serves as referee for NSF, AHA, French National Research Agency, and Italian Ministry of Health.
Research Interest
Feng lab is interested in how metal ions play critical structural and functional roles in biological molecules. His primary research focus is on regulation mechanism of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a flavo-hemoprotein responsible for biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a ubiquitous signaling and effector molecule in mammalian cell biology. A particular strength is the utilization of multidisciplinary approaches, using techniques ranging from biochemical and kinetics to biophysical, to answer specific mechanistic questions. Recent studies of NOS proteins by Dr. Feng suggest that domain motions and interdomain docking play an important role in NOS isoform function by modulating key electron transfer processes. Molecular mechanisms of NOS regulation, once fully understood, are potentially key targets for development of selective new pharmaceuticals for treating a wide range of diseases that currently lack effective treatments.