Dr Zhuo (Vivian) Wang

Lecturer in Biology & Biomedical Science

School of Life & Health Sciences
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET
Uk

Room: MB433a

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
PhD in Cell Biology, Aston University, 2010

Master in Clinical Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, China, 2006

Bachelor in Clinical Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, China, 2003

2016 – date: Lecturer in Biology and Biomedical Science, School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University.
2010 – 2016: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University

MSc Cell Biology Module

Dr Wang successfully completed her medical training at undergraduate (Clinical Medicine, Tianjin Medical University) and master’s level (Clinical Immunology, Tianjin Medical University) in China. In 2006, she pursued her interest in research by carrying on her PhD research at Aston University under the supervision of Prof Martin Griffin. Her PhD topic was ‘The importance of the Tissue Transglutaminase-Fibronectin Heterocomplex in the RGD-independent Cell Adhesion and Fibronectin Matrix Deposition’. Subsequently, she undertook the role as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Aston University investigating the physiological and pathological roles of Tissue Transglutaminase (TG2) in various systems. Her research covers the most popular research subject areas, including cancer stem cells (majorly colon and breast cancer), angiogenesis and fibrotic diseases (e.g. kidney, cardiac, lung fibrosis and cystic fibrosis looking at the mechanisms involved in Epithelial Mesenchymal and Endothelial Mesenchymal Transition). She has also been actively involved in research in the biomaterials area trying to identify novel biomaterials based on collagen for bone regeneration. Recently her research interest has extended to investigate TG2 and its crosslinking products as biomarkers for fibrotic disease (such as chronic kidney disease).

Aston 50th Anniversary PhD studentship
Industrial collaboration with UCB Cell-Tech, UK

Main supervising one PhD student starting in January 2017.

Co-supervising four PhD students

Are you available to supervise new suitable applicants? - Yes.

Research areas: the role of Tissue Transglutaminase in fibrotic diseases, cancer and pathological angiogenesis, and the application of transglutaminase-crosslinked collagen as a novel biomaterial for wound healing and bone regeneration.

Fellow of Higher Education Academy
Royal Society of Biology
Biochemical Society
European Association for Cancer Research
British Association for Lung Research

Recent Publications

Wang, Z, Stuckey, DJ, Murdoch, CE, Camelliti, P, Lip, GYH & Griffin, M 2018, 'Cardiac fibrosis can be attenuated by blocking the activity of transglutaminase 2 using a selective small-molecule inhibitor' Cell Death and Disease, vol. 9, 613. DOI:10.1038/s41419-018-0573-2
Ayinde, O, Wang, Z & Griffin, M 2017, 'Tissue transglutaminase induces epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and the acquisition of stem cell like characteristics in colorectal cancer cells' Oncotarget, vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 20025-20041. DOI:10.18632/oncotarget.15370
Zonca, S, Pinton, G, Wang, Z, Soluri, MF, Tavian, D, Griffin, M, Sblattero, D & Moro, L 2017, 'Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) enables survival of human malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in hypoxia' Cell Death and Disease, vol. 8, no. 2, e2592. DOI:10.1038/cddis.2017.30
Feriotto, G, Calza, R, Bergamini, CM, Griffin, M , Wang, Z, Beninati, S, Ferretti, V, Marzola, E, Guerrini, R, Pagnoni, A, Cavazzini, A, Casciano, F & Mischiati, C 2016, 'Involvement of cell surface TG2 in the aggregation of K562 cells triggered by gluten' Amino Acids, vol. In press. DOI:10.1007/s00726-016-2339-4
Nyabam, S, Wang, Z , Thibault, T, Ayinde, O, Basar, R, Marshall, L & Griffin, M 2016, 'A novel regulatory role for tissue transglutaminase in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cystic fibrosis' BBA - Molecular Cell Research, vol. 1863, no. 9, pp. 2234-2244. DOI:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.05.012
Badarau, E, Wang, Z , Rathbone, DL , Costanzi, A , Thibault, T , Murdoch, CE, El Alaoui, S, Bartkeviciute, M & Griffin, M 2015, 'Development of potent and selective tissue transglutaminase inhibitors: their effect on TG2 function and application in pathological conditions' Chemistry and Biology, vol. 22, no. 10, pp. 1347-1361. DOI:10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.08.013
Griffin, M , Wang, Z , Thibault, T , Murdoch, C & Rathbone, D 2015, 'TG2: a credible therapeutic target in fibrotic diseasedue to its multifunctional roles' Amino Acids, vol. 47, no. 8, pp. 1629. DOI:10.1007/s00726-015-2016-z
Fan, MQ, Wang, ZN, Wu, H, Churkin, DV, Li, Y, Zhang, L, Qian, XY & Rao, YJ 2015,Long-range and high-resolution correlation optical time-domain reflectometry utilizing an all optical chaotic source. in B Lee, S-B Lee & Y Rao (eds),Fifth Asia-Pacific optical sensors conference., 965548, SPIE proceedings, vol. 9655, SPIE, Bellingham, WA (US), 5th Asia-Pacific Optical Sensors conference, Jeju, Korea, Republic of, 20-22 May. DOI:10.1117/12.2203105
Fan, MQ, Wang, ZN, Wu, H, Churkin, DV, Li, Y, Zhang, L, Qian, XY & Rao, YJ 2015,High resolution optical time-domain reflectometry based on correlation utilizing an all-fiber chaotic source. in B Lee, S-B Lee & Y Rao (eds),Fifth Asia-Pacific optical sensors conference., 96553J, SPIE proceedings, vol. 9655, SPIE, Bellingham, WA (US), 5th Asia-Pacific Optical Sensors conference, Jeju, Korea, Republic of, 20-22 May. DOI:10.1117/12.2184238
Wang, ZN, Fan, MQ, Zhang, L, Wu, H, Churkin, DV, Li, Y, Qian, XY & Rao, YJ 2015, 'Long-range and high-precision correlation optical time-domain reflectometry utilizing an all-fiber chaotic source' Optics Express, vol. 23, no. 12, pp. 15514-15520. DOI:10.1364/OE.23.015514
Nadella, V , Wang, Z, Johnson, TS, Griffin, M & Devitt, A 2015, 'Transglutaminase 2 interacts with syndecan-4 and CD44 at the surface of human macrophages to promote removal of apoptotic cells' BBA - Molecular Cell Research, vol. 1853, no. 1, pp. 201-212. DOI:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.09.020
Wu, H, Wang, ZN, Churkin, DV, Vatnik, ID, Fan, MQ & Rao, YJ 2015, 'Random distributed feedback Raman fiber laser with polarized pumping' Laser Physics Letters, vol. 12, no. 1, 015101. DOI:10.1088/1612-2011/12/1/015101
Yao, BC, Wu, Y, Zhang, AQ, Wang, F, Rao, YJ, Gong, Y, Zhang, WL, Wang, ZG, Chiang, KS & Sumetsky, M 2014, 'Graphene Bragg gratings on microfiber' Optics Express, vol. 22, no. 20, pp. 23829-23835. DOI:10.1364/OE.22.023829
Fortunati, D, Chau, DYS, Wang, Z , Collighan, RJ & Griffin, M 2014, 'Cross-linking of collagen I by tissue transglutaminase provides a promising biomaterial for promoting bone healing' Amino Acids, vol. 46, no. 7, pp. 1751-1761. DOI:10.1007/s00726-014-1732-0
Nadalutti, CA, Korponay-Szabo, IR, Kaukinen, K, Wang, Z , Griffin, M, Mäki, M & Lindfors, K 2013, 'Thioredoxin is involved in endothelial cell extracellular transglutaminase 2 activation mediated by celiac disease patient IgA' PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 10, e77277. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0077277
Wang, Z & Griffin, M 2013, 'The role of TG2 in regulating S100A4-mediated mammary tumour cell migration' PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 3, e57017. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0057017
Rauhavirta, T, Oittinen, M, Kivistö, R, Männistö, PT, Garcia-Horsman, JA, Wang, Z , Griffin, M, Mäki, M, Kaukinen, K & Lindfors, K 2013, 'Are transglutaminase 2 inhibitors able to reduce gliadin-induced toxicity related to celiac disease? A proof-of-concept study' Journal of Clinical Immunology, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 134-142. DOI:10.1007/s10875-012-9745-5
Jones, RA, Wang, Z, Dookie, S & Griffin, M 2013, 'The role of TG2 in ECV304-related vasculogenic mimicry' Amino Acids, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 89-101. DOI:10.1007/s00726-011-1214-6
Wang, Z, Perez, M, Caja, S, Melino, G, Johnson, TS, Lindfors, K & Griffin, M 2013, 'A novel extracellular role for tissue transglutaminase in matrix-bound VEGF-mediated angiogenesis' Cell Death and Disease, vol. 4, no. 9, e808. DOI:10.1038/cddis.2013.318;
Wang, Z , Collighan, R, Pytel, K, Rathbone, DL, Li, X & Griffin, M 2012, 'Characterization of heparin-binding site of tissue transglutaminase: its importance in cell surface targeting, matrix deposition, and cell signaling' Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 287, no. 16, pp. 13063-13083. DOI:10.1074/jbc.M111.294819
Wang, Z & Griffin, M 2012, 'TG2, a novel extracellular protein with multiple functions' Amino Acids, vol. 42, no. 2-3, pp. 939-949. DOI:10.1007/s00726-011-1008-x
Bergamini, CM, Collighan, RJ , Wang, Z & Griffin, M 2011,Structure and regulation of type 2 transglutaminase in relation to its physiological functions and pathological roles. in EJ Toone (ed.),Advances in enzymology: and related areas of molecular biology.vol. 78, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ (US), pp. 1-46. DOI:10.1002/9781118105771.ch1
Kotsakis, P, Wang, Z , Collighan, RJ & Griffin, M 2011, 'The role of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in regulating the tumour progression of the mouse colon carcinoma CT26' Amino Acids, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 909-921. DOI:10.1007/s00726-010-0790-1
Collighan, R , Griffin, M, Pytel, K & Wang, Z 2011,Novel Polypeptides and Use Thereof, Patent No. GB 1107147.9, IPC No. A61K38/04.
Wang, Z, Telci, D & Griffin, M 2011, 'Importance of syndecan-4 and syndecan -2 in osteoblast cell adhesion and survival mediated by a tissue transglutaminase-fibronectin complex' Experimental Cell Research, vol. 317, no. 3, pp. 367-381. DOI:10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.10.015
Wang, Z , Collighan, RJ , Gross, SR, Danen, EHJ, Orend, G, Telci, D & Griffin, M 2010, 'RGD-independent cell adhesion via a tissue transglutaminase-fibronectin matrix promotes fibronectin fibril deposition and requires syndecan-4/2 and a5ß1 integrin co-signaling' Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 285, no. 51, pp. 40212-40129. DOI:10.1074/jbc.M110.123703
Muelaner, JE, Wang, Z, Martin, O, Jamshidi, J & Maropoulos, PG 2010, 'Estimation of uncertainty in three-dimensional coordinate measurement by comparison with calibrated points' Measurement Science and Technology, vol. 21, no. 2, 025106. DOI:10.1088/0957-0233/21/2/025106
Muelaner, JE, Wang, Z, Jamshidi, J & Maropoulos, PG 2010,Verification of the indoor gps system by comparison with points calibrated using a network of laser tracker measurements. in GQ Huang, KL Mak & PG Maropoulos (eds),Proceedings of the 6th CIRP-Sponsored International Conference on Digital Enterprise Technology.Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing, vol. 66, Springer, Berlin (DE), pp. 607-619, 6th CIRP International Conference on Digital Enterprise Technology, Hong Kong, China, 14-16 December. DOI:10.1007/978-3-642-10430-5_47
Wang, Z , Maropoulos, PG, Mastrogiacomo, L & Franceschini, F 2009,Experimental testing of the dynamic tracking performance of iGPS and laser tracker. inLaser Metrology and Machine Performance IX : 9th International Conference and Exhibition on Laser Metrology, Machine Tool, CMM and Robotic Performance, LAMDAMAP 2009.Euspen, pp. 305-314, 9th International Conference and Exhibition on Laser Metrology, Machine Tool, CMM and Robotic Performance, LAMDAMAP 2009, Uxbridge, United Kingdom, 30-2 July.
Telci, D, Wang, Z, Li, X, Verderio, EAM, Humphries, MJ, Baccarini, M, Basaga, H & Griffin, M 2008, 'Fibronectin-tissue transglutaminase matrix rescues RGD-impaired celladhesion through syndecan-4 and ß integrin co-signaling' Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 283, no. 30, pp. 20937-20947. DOI:10.1074/jbc.M801763200

Dr Zhuo (Vivian) Wang

Lecturer in Biology & Biomedical Science

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