Yan Zhang, MD, PhD

My research explores the intricate transcriptional regulatory forces that guide dental epithelial cells to commit to the ameloblast lineage—master architects of the hardest tissue in the human body. Once their enamel-secreting mission is complete, these cells undergo a remarkable transformation into junctional epithelial cells, forming a critical barrier that safeguards the health of the gingival sulcus. I also aim to clarify the roles of the junctional epithelium in innate immunity to effectively combat periodontal pathogens.