Directory Entry For: Jun Cai
Biography
Dr. Jun Cai received his MD and PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and completed postdoctoral training in Developmental Neuroscience with a focus on oligodendrocyte development, supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He has a broad background in medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology, and developmental neuroscience, with specific expertise in genetic manipulation, embryonic and explant electroporation, stereotactic delivery of drugs, viruses, or cells, neurobehavioral testing, and rodent models of drug-induced demyelination–remyelination, spinal cord and brain injury, hypoxia, and neurotropic solid tumors.
His research, funded by multiple NIH, national, state, and private foundations, focuses on gene–environment interactions in CNS development, disease, and regeneration. Dr. Cai has published more than ninety peer-reviewed original research articles in journals including Neuron, Journal of Neuroscience, Glia, Journal of Neuroinflammation, Development, Stem Cells, and Journal of Pathology.
Dr. Cai serves as a peer reviewer for numerous scientific journals and as an ad hoc grant reviewer for national and international funding agencies. He has also served on NIH and VA scientific review panels and various professional committees. He is a member of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Neuroscience, National Neurotrauma Society, and Sleep Research Society, and is a full member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society.
Research Interests
Over the past several years, Dr. Jun Cai’s research has centered on advancing knowledge in the field of gene-environment interactions that influence the development, diseases, and regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). His work primarily focuses on two major areas:
1. Molecular regulation of oligodendrocyte development, myelin formation and plasticity, demyelination, and remyelination, with relevance to white matter impairments observed in conditions such as Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
2. Mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication across neural, immune, and inflammatory systems in neurodevelopmental, neuroinflammatory, neurotraumatic disorders, and neurotropic solid tumors.
His research integrates diverse technical platforms, including genetic manipulation, embryonic and tissue electroporation, stereotactic delivery of drugs, viruses, or cells, and a broad array of neurobehavioral assays. We also develop and utilize multiple rodent models, such as drug-induced demyelination/remyelination, spinal cord and brain injury, chronic or intermittent hypoxia exposure, and orthotopic xenograft models of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), glioblastoma (GBM), neuroblastoma, and osteosarcoma.
Key research areas include:
Ø Oligodendrocyte development, myelination, and white matter maturation
Ø Myelin plasticity, demyelination, and remyelination
Ø Cell-to-cell communication and neural circuitry in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative (e.g., MS), and neurotraumatic disorders
Ø Neural–tumor–immune crosstalk within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in neurotropic solid tumors and immunotherapy
Ø Development of CAR-T cell therapies for malignant pediatric solid tumors
Current Projects and Grants:
Ø Project 1 – Developmental neurotoxicity of cadmium: linking early-life environmental exposure to risk of neurodevelopmental disorders
Ø Project 2 – Epigenomic reprogramming induced by early-life environmental cadmium exposure and its impact on pediatric high-grade glioma and CAR T-cell immunotherapy.
Ø Project 3 – Targeting the CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis to restore glial homeostasis in demyelinating diseases and neurotropic solid tumors
Ø Project 4- Neuroinflammatory pathways and immune targets for therapeutic intervention in rotational acceleration-deceleration neonatal brain injury.
Degrees and Certifications
Tianjin Medical College
Tianjin Medical University