Tao Yang
Professor, Xinhua Hospital
China
Dr. Tao Yang is a professor in molecular biology of hearing and deafness. He got his PhD in genetics and post-doctoral training in molecular otolaryngology in the University of Iowa between 1998 and 2009. He is currently the director of the Molecular Biology of Hearing and Deafness Research Laboratory, Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. His main research interests include 1) identification and functional studies of deafness genes, 2) genotype-phenotype correlation studies of deafness genes; and 3) translational research on genetic hearing loss. He also set up and oversees the clinical genetic testing service of hereditary deafness in Xinhua Hospital. In recently years, Dr. Yang received several major grants from the National Science Foundation of China and other sources for over 1 million dollars. Over 20 papers of Dr. Yang has been published in academic journals including American Journal of Human Genetics, Genetics in Medicine, Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, Clinical Genetics and PLOS one.
1) Identification and functional studies of deafness genes We combine the traditional positional cloning approach and the next-generation sequencing strategy to identify novel deafness genes from dominant, consanguineous or other families segregating with inherited hearing impairment. In vivo and in vitro studies were performed to understand the functional role of deafness genes in hearing.
2) Genotype-phenotype correlation studies of deafness genes By mutation screening and clinical evaluation of several large patient cohorts, we characterize the mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlation of common deafness genes or genes of special interest.
3) Translational research on genetic hearing loss. We try to utilize the new discovery and technology in basic science of hearing and deafness to address clinical issues and challenges such as the prenatal prevention of inherited hearing impairment, early identification and intervention of postnatal childhood hearing impairment, and gene therapies for genetic hearing impairment
