Shengyun Fang

Dr. Shengyun Fang is a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, holding primary appointments in Pharmacology & Physiology and secondary appointments in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. His research focuses on the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ER-associated degradation (ERAD), particularly how ERAD dysfunction and the unfolded protein response (UPR) contribute to disease pathogenesis.

• Education:
  • MBBS, Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, China
  • Postdoctoral Associate, Physiology, University of Iowa
  • PhD, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD

Dr. Fang's current work involves drug discovery targeting ER proteostasis in collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). His lab is developing first-in-class drugs like UBA1 activity enhancers and RNF5 inhibitors, with potential applications in VEXAS syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, α-1-antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease, obesity-related cancers, and aging.

The 15 most recent articles highlight his work on ERAD modulation (65% of articles), small molecule drug discovery (40%), and disease mechanisms in neurodegeneration (35%) and oncology (45%). Keywords include proteostasis, ubiquitination, ER stress, and autophagy.

Grants: NIH 1U01AR081599-01 (2022-2027), 30% PI allocation, focusing on pharmacological UBA1 activity enhancement in VEXAS syndrome models.

Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with NCATS scientists; research involves zebrafish models, live cell imaging, and translational studies on ER stress in human diseases.