Research in my laboratory aims at: 1) understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disease; 2) creating animal models of human metabolic diseases using knock-out, knock-in, and transgenesis strategies.

The current state of laboratory animal resources and model analysis presents a significant challenge in the field of laboratory animals and medicine. To address this challenge, Dr. Qu focused on two primary areas of research related to animal model development. Firstly, by addressing common issues concerning model construction, the applicant has established an efficient cloning system for laboratory rabbits, thereby facilitating the enhancement of laboratory animal resources. Secondly, targeting the specific disease of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), Dr. Qu has developed and validated a non-human primate model for NASH, addressing the critical need for an appropriate model for research and development of new treatments for NASH. Building upon these accomplishments, Dr. Qu has authored more than 20 papers in prestigious journals such as Cell Metabolism, serving as the first or corresponding author.