Xiuli Dan

Xiuli Dan is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics within the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Her office is located at 1-274 Nils Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Dr. Dan's research focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease by investigating the role of mitophagy dysfunction in disease progression. She also explores how mitophagy regulation shifts with aging and cellular senescence, aiming to uncover mechanisms that could slow or reverse brain aging. Her work spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, cell biology, aging research, and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.

Analysis of Dr. Dan's publication record reveals a strong focus on mitochondrial biology in neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Alzheimer's disease. Her research demonstrates how mitophagy dysfunction contributes to disease pathology, with recent work exploring NAD+ supplementation as a potential therapeutic intervention. Earlier publications show significant contributions to bone regeneration research and antimicrobial studies, indicating a broad research trajectory that has increasingly focused on neurodegenerative mechanisms in recent years.

Dr. Dan has published extensively across multiple disciplines, with her most recent work (2025) examining mitochondrial accumulation and lysosomal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Her publication history shows consistent contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying aging, neurodegeneration, and cellular quality control processes.