Li has authored more than 15 scientific publications spanning a wide range of topics, including chiral separations, drug-protein interactions, pharmacokinetics, and analytical chemistry. During this time, he led numerous projects related to the development of pharmaceutical products.ĭr. Li held management positions at Great Valley Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth. Song Li founded Frontage Laboratories in 2001 with the ambition of building a client-focused organization to help solve the most complex drug development challenges. Elucidation of the mechanisms that regulate insect molting and cuticle sclerotization would provide information not only for understanding the principles of insect growth and development, but also for designing more efficient control agents for insect pest control.Dr.

Using recombinant bursicon and DNA microarray, we have identified a set of bursicon regulated genes in Drosophila and are in the process of revealing bursicon signaling components. We are particularly interested in elucidating bursicon signal transduction pathway and the genes that are regulated by bursicon. Bursicon is a neuropeptide that regulates cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion in insects. It must be sclerotized (hardened and darkened) within a short period of time in order for insect to survive the danger of desiccation, pathogens and predators. After each molt, insect cuticle is soft and vulnerable. Using biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches, we have shown that PKC regulates the phosphorylation of ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its heterodimer partner ultraspiracle protein (USP), thus mediating 20E-induced gene expression that leads to molting and metamorphosis in insects.

Specifically, we are investigating the roles of protein kinases in mediating 20E induced gene expression.

EcR and USP signals were visualized using confocal microscope (BioRad Radiance 2000) at MU Cytology Core. The salivary glands were immunostained with EcR or USP mAb (red color) and then counterstained with SYTOX Green nucleic acid stain (green color). Figure 1: Immocytochemical localization of EcR and USP in the salivary glands of early wandering larvae of Drosiphila melanogaster.

Song labs