Faculty

Fang-Sheng Wu
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Michigan State University (1977)
fwu@vcu.edu
http://www.vcu.edu/micro/mbg.htm

Office room: 328B
Office phone: (804) 828-0755

Lab room number: 328
Lab phone: (804) 828-0749

Research interests:
Genetic engineering

Graduate student projects include:
Molecular cloning and direct gene transfer of foreign genes into eukaryotic cells for gene expression and regulation.

Funding for this research has been provided by:
Jeffress Research Grant

Classes currently teaching:
Biotechniques (BIOL 300)
Genetics (BIOL 310)
Genetics Laboratory (BIOZ 310)

Dr. Fang-Sheng Wu received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1977 and is a molecular biologist specializing in genetic engineering. His research is centered upon the regulation and expression of foreign genes in eukaryotic cells. Genes and their corresponding regulatory DNA sequences are being constructed into vectors and tested for their expression in cultured cells and transgenic organisms. Genes that are related to anticancer, antiviral, vaccines, disease resistance and pharmaceuticals are all possible targets. At present, gene expression in plant cells of a mammalian molecular chaperon "BIP" in relation to the intracellular sorting and targeting of foreign proteins, such as a humanized anti-carcinoma antibody against a tumor surface antigen, is one of his active research areas. Wu has developed a direct gene transfer technology for higher plants and this technology is being applied to algae and mushroom cells. Wu also works with plant tissue culture regeneration and in vitro cell culture systems for genetic improvements, value-added products or secondary metabolites.