Senlin  Li, MD

Dr. Senlin Li's primary research interest is to develop autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)-based cell and gene therapy, including HSC-derived macrophage gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s (to deliver neurotrophic factors to the brain) and atherosclerosis (to provide anti-atherogenic factors per se). They have been developing and improving a novel HSCT technology that is non-toxic and free of risk associated with conventional HSCT. This invention, combined with the latest genome editing technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, in particular) and the new wave of gene therapy, will greatly increase the willingness of patients and their physicians to apply HSC gene therapy for treatment of diseases, leading to the realization of the powerfulness of this therapeutic modality. Their laboratory works to extend this approach to inherited and acquired blood/immune disorders including HIV/AIDS (by genome editing to produce CCR5-/- and thus HIV-resistant blood cells).  With the same platform, they are also interested in blood/immune rejuvenation. Finally, they keep constant efforts to generate transplantable HSC from iPS cells.

Associated Diseases: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Atherosclerosis

Techniques Used: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation CRISPR technology Lentiviral generation

Sub-Field of Study: Aging

Specific Field of Study: Stem cell gene therapy

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 1999 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Molecular Medicine - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1995 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Molecular Endocrinology - University of Geneva
  • 1992 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Molecular Biology - University of Geneva
  • 1991 - MD - Medicine - University of Geneva School of Medicine
  • 1985 - MS - Medical Sciences - Haerbin Medical University
  • 1982 - BS - Biomedical Sciences - Shanxi Medical College

  Appointments

  • 9/2014 - Professor/Research - UTHSCSA, Medicine, San Antonio
  • 9/2006 - Associate Professor - UTHSCSA, Pharmacology, San Antonio
  • 7/2003 - Health Science Specialist - Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital, STVHCS, San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 7/2013 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 7/2013 - Present, High School/Junior High School Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 7/2013 - Present, High School/Junior High School Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 3/2013 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 12/2012 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 9/2012 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 9/2012 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 8/2009 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

• Research & Grants

  Grants

  Federal

  Funding Agency NIH Title Influence of High Glucose on Endothelial Function Status Active Period 8/2012 - 7/2017 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail Sumathy Mohan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, UTHSCSA, is the PI. This study is to test the hypothesis that impaired physiological repair mechanisms due to altered endothelium-derived relaxation factor (nitric oxide) signaling pathway is responsible for vascular complications mediated by sustained high glucose. Dr. Li will be responsible for generating siRNA specific for IKK-2 cloned in viral vectors as well as Hsp-90 over expression system applicable to in vivo and in vitro experiments. The knowledge gained will help to identify new avenues that will improve the current treatment modalities aimed to prevent or minimize the severity of vascular complications of IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) patients.