Long-Cheng Li, MD

Research Interests

Small RNA-mediated gene regulation

Until recently small dsRNAs were only thought to trigger RNA interference (RNAi), which is an evolutionarily conserved gene regulation mechanism. Li reported for the first time that dsRNAs are able to activate gene expression at the transcriptional level by targeting gene promoters; this phenomenon is termed RNAa (small RNA induced transcriptional gene activation). Research is being conducted in Li’s lab to determine whether RNAa is a naturally occurring gene regulation mechanism and, if so, to determine what are the natural triggers of RNA molecules, and what role RNAa may play in physiological processes and disease states, especially cancer. He is also applying RNAa technology to the treatment of prostate cancer.

Cancer Epigenetics

DNA methylation and histone modifications are important epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and play an important role in cancer. Li has studied various aberrant epigenetic events in prostate cancer and has found that many of them are involved in prostate cancer development and progression. Li's current research interests include understanding how DNA methylation is regulated in cancer cells and whether small RNA molecules play a role in such regulation.

To facilitate DNA methylation research, Li developed a computer program called MethPrimer that is used to design PCR primers for DNA methylation mapping. He provided this program free of charge to the research community through the internet. The program is now widely used by DNA methylation researchers around the world.

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