Huai Deng

Huai Deng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Swenson College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth, where he investigates molecular mechanisms of developmental adaptations to environmental stressors using Drosophila as a model system. His research centers on the Keap1-Nrf2 oxidative/xenobiotic response pathway and its roles beyond detoxification.

His educational background includes:

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

Dr. Deng's work spans Molecular and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics, and Advanced Imaging, with three core research thrusts: (1) developmental functions of dKeap1-CncC in metamorphosis and oogenesis; (2) epigenetic regulation of chromatin architecture; and (3) development of BiFC-based imaging tools for visualizing protein complexes on polytene chromosomes. His lab integrates Drosophila genetics, molecular biology, and live imaging to uncover how environmental toxins influence development through chromatin remodeling.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent innovation in adapting fluorescence techniques to study transcription factor-chromatin interactions, with recent work emphasizing the pathway's developmental roles and nuclear architecture functions. His 2022-2024 publications demonstrate expanding focus on structural impacts of Keap1 in the nucleus.

No scientific awards were documented in the source materials.

Dr. Deng advises graduate students including MS candidate Emma Neidviecky in Integrated Biosciences, and actively recruits postdocs and undergraduates for projects on xenobiotic response mechanisms. His lab maintains strong technical development focus, particularly in chromatin imaging methodologies.

The Deng Lab operates within UMD's Department of Biology, utilizing Drosophila polytene chromosome models and advanced microscopy to investigate how environmental stressors reprogram development through epigenetic mechanisms, with ongoing studies examining Keap1's interactions with nuclear lamina and chromatin modifiers.