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Lingeng Lu, MD, PhD

Research Scientist in Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)

Contact Information

Lingeng Lu, MD, PhD

Office Location

Mailing Address

  • Chronic Disease Epidemiology

    PO Box 208034, 60 College Street

    New Haven, CT 06520-8034

    United States

Research Summary

Dr. Lu’s research interests focus on the etiology, prognosis and diagnosis as well as survivorship of chronic diseases including cancer, metabolic syndrome, aging, HIV/ADIS, mental and reproductive health. His research work integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics and epidemiology methods into investigating genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors in chronic diseases. His recent work includes 1) the assessment of epigenetic (non-coding RNA (miRNAs and lncRNAs), DNA methylation) and genetic markers and ovarian, breast and pancreatic cancer prognosis; 2) the understanding of genetic and environmental factors, as well as their interactions in the risk of pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, liver, bladder, brain and endometrial liver cancer; 3) the functional studies of genetic variations in human diseases; 4) the lifestyle intervention and cancer-related molecular markers including non-coding RNAs; 5) circulating exosomal miRNAs and HIV-associated neurological disorder; 6) Environmental endocrine interrupters and persistent organic pollutants and human health; 7) clinical trials of diabetes-related complications; 8) circulating exosomal proteins and early detection of ovarian and pancreatic cancers; 9) telomere length machinery and HIV treatment-related toxicity.

Extensive Research Description

1. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors in cancer risk and progression

As a chronic disease, human cancer has a complex etiology, resulting from the comprehensive consequence of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Genetic and epigenetic aberrations frequently occur in malignancies. In this project, we aim to evaluate the significance of genetic variations, gene expression and non-coding RNA (miRNAs and lncRNAs) and DNA methylation, RNA methylation-associated genes, cancer stem cell-associated genes and environmental factors, as well as their interactions in cancer etiology, diagnosis and prognosis using population-based case-control studies (endometrial, liver, bladder, brain, gastric, esophageal, pancreatic cancer) and case cohort studies. We also investigate the mechanisms of functional variants via the approaches such as DNA/RNA secondary structures, eQTL and pQTL. The long-term goal is to individualize prevention and treatment of human cancer.

2. Circulating exosomes and HIV-associated neurological disorders and cancer

Exosomes are bilayer membranous nano-vesicles actively released into the circulation by living cells, and contain enriched bioactive molecules (proteins, DNA/RNA, lipids), mirroring the cells of origin and mediating cell-to-cell communications in a hormone manner. We aim to investigate the associations of exosomal bioactive molecules in plasma (non-coding RNAs and proteins) and HIV-associated neurological disorders (in collaboration with Dr. Spudich at Neurobiology and Dr. Emu at Infectious Diseases), and the risk of cancer. The long-term goals are to develop novel strategies to prevent neurological impairment of HIV patients during antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the HIV project, and to early detect human cancer, and to monitor the disease progression via liquid biopsy.

3. Exercise and healthy living in breast cancer and ovarian cancer survivors

Exercise and healthy eating are beneficial effects on human health. We aim to investigate the effects of exercise and healthy lifestyles intervention on the risk factors and immunosuppression of breast and ovarian cancer in the survivors. The long-term goal is to prevent the cancers and reduce the mortality by modifying lifestyles.

4. Immune checkpoints and cancer progression

Immune escaping is a hallmark of tumors. Immune responses in tumors depend on neoantigen presentation, T cell infiltration and effector T cell activation. We aim to examine the associations between microenvironmental factors, immune checkpoints and T cell activation, and tumor progression. The long-term goal is to develop novel strategies to individualize immunotherapy.

5. Telomere, aging and cancer

Telomeres are the repeat sequences at the end of chromosomes for genome stability and integrity, and get shorter each time a cell divides. When telomere length reaches a critical threshold, the cell enters senescence and stops growth. Telomere lengthening machinery maintains the telomere length in malignancies, allowing an limited cellular lifespan. We aim to understand how environmental factors and lifestyles affect telomere length, how telomere machinery associates with aging and cancer progression and treatment.



Coauthors

Research Interests

Aging; Breast Neoplasms; HIV; Immunologic Factors; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Polymorphism, Genetic; Helicobacter pylori; Endometrial Neoplasms; Molecular Epidemiology; Reproductive Medicine; DNA Methylation; Metabolic Syndrome; MicroRNAs; RNA, Long Noncoding

Public Health Interests

Cancer; Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics

Selected Publications

Clinical Trials

ConditionsStudy Title
COVID-19 Inpatient; COVID-19 Outpatient; Diseases of the Nervous System; HIV/AIDS; Infectious DiseasesHIV Associated Reservoirs and Comorbidities (The HARC Plus Study)
Trial of Exercise and Lifestyle (TEAL) Intervention