Julia Qu

The research in the Qu lab focuses on lung immunity, inflammation, and diseases, spanning acute injury, chronic conditions, infectious diseases, and lung cancer—the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Using mouse and human co-clinical models and state-of-the-art technologies, the Qu group is trying to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying lung homeostasis and diseases development, progression, and therapy resistance, for preventive, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes, and is developing innovative therapies for lung cancer, the most devastating cancer type.

As the primary organ for gas exchange, the lung constantly encounters challenges from the external environment. The lung immune system, particularly the innate immunity, plays a crucial role in guarding the lung against these threats and maintaining lung homeostasis. The Qu research team is investigating the mechanisms underlying pulmonary immune regulation and its deregulation, particularly the innate immune components, in promoting lung inflammation and disease development and progression. At the cellular level, they mainly focus on lung epithelial cells and macrophages, the key sentinels in the lung and the main culprits of lung diseases. At the molecular level, they mainly focus on NF-κB and STAT signaling pathways, master regulators of cell survival, proliferation, and immunity.

• The NF-kappaB modulator PDLIM2 as an intrinsic checkpoint of alveolar macrophages critical for lung innate immunity, inflammation and diseases
  NIH · R01HL177140 · Apr 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2029 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Mechanistic difference of NF-kappaB in lung physiology and tumorigenesis
  NIH · R01CA258614 · Aug 24, 2022 – Jul 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Structural and molecular dissection of NF-kappaB regulation by the ubiquitin E3 ligase PDLIM2 in lung innate immunity and diseases
  NIH · R01GM144890 · Mar 10, 2022 – Feb 28, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Clinicopathological significance of PDLIM2 in HIV/AIDS-related malignancies caused by KSHV
  NIH · R21CA189703 · Jul 1, 2015 – Jun 30, 2018 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Xiao, Gutian
• Maher, Toby
• Lenz, Heinz-Josef
• Wang, Rongfu
• Chaudhary, Preet
• Kim, Anthony