Jiliang Li, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, School of Science
Professor, Biology
Research
Current Research
My research interests are in bone cell biology and bone regeneration. For several years I have studied the mechanisms by which exercise builds bone with the goal of identifying novel drug targets linked to increased bone strength. My research activities include the study of the biological and mechanical aspects of bone using animal models and cell cultures, as well as the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms of mechanotransduction, the process of conversion of mechanical signals into biological signals in bone cells. I am also involved in studying pharmaceutical treatments for osteoporosis and bone fracture. These research projects have direct medical relevance to a variety of diseases such as osteoporosis, bone fracture, paraplegia and bone loss in space flight due to weightlessness.