Dr. Tingting Yang

Biography

Tingting Yang is an Associate Professor at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Yang's research focuses on the structure and function regulation of ion channels in the eye, as well as the pathological mechanisms that lead to associated diseases. Significant work includes the study of calcium-activated chloride channels known as bestrophins, which are essential in both bacteria and mammals. Four human bestrophin paralogs, namely bestrophin-1 (Best1) and bestrophin-2 (Best2), have been linked to critical physiological events in the eye. Best1, located in the retinal pigment epithelium, plays a crucial role in generating vision-related electrical signals. Mutations in the BEST1 gene can lead to several retinal degenerative diseases, including the early-onset form of vitelliform macular dystrophy. The impact of such diseases is profound, often resulting in progressive vision loss and potential blindness in affected individuals. Best2, on the other hand, is involved in maintaining intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and the formation of aqueous humor. Research indicates that Best2 could represent a promising target for pharmaceutical approaches aimed at lowering IOP, a major risk factor for glaucoma. Yang's lab employs a multidisciplinary approach that includes techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, crystallography, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to explore these complex biological systems.

Research Interests