About
Dr. Hao Xu is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, specializing in cell biology and molecular biosciences. His research focuses on mast cell exocytosis mechanisms, particularly the role of SNARE proteins in immune responses and allergic inflammation. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (2003) and an MS from the University of Waterloo (1996).
Research Interests: Dr. Xu investigates the molecular machinery regulating mast cell exocytosis, including SNARE complex assembly, Munc18 protein phosphorylation, and TNF production pathways. His work combines biochemical, genetic, and cell biology approaches to identify drug targets for allergic diseases.
Recent Publications: His recent work explores differential exocytic pathways in mast cells, the role of Munc13-4 in TNF production, and PKC-dependent phosphorylation of Munc18a. He has also developed novel CRISPR-based tools for base editing.
Professional Affiliations: Dr. Xu is affiliated with organizations such as the Academic Drug Discovery Consortium and the American Society for Cell Biology. He teaches courses in cell biology, genetics, and pathobiology at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
