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ScholarsBetaWeill Cornell Medicine

Overview

Using zebrafish as a model, the Cao Lab aims at dissecting how natural heart regeneration is regulated at the cellular and molecular level, and how the generalizable findings can be applied in other regenerative contexts.

Highlights

  1. 1
    Development (Cambridge, England) · 2022
    YXYu XiaJCJingli Cao
    PMID: 35179181PMCID: PMC8918790DOISenior author28 citations
  2. 2
    Nature communications · 2022
    YXYu XiaBPBjoern PerderMHMichael HarrisonDBDoron BetelJCJingli Cao
    PMID: 36513650PMCID: PMC9747719DOISenior author45 citations
  3. 3
    Development (Cambridge, England) · 2024
    YXYu XiaMHMichael HarrisonJCJingli Cao
    PMID: 39514676PMCID: PMC11607685DOISenior author6 citations

Publications

33 publications

Funding

5 grantsView NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

3 grants
  • PI
    Mechanisms controlling epicardial-dependent promotion of heart regeneration in zebrafish.
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2021–2030· 2 renewals
    R01HL155607-06A1
  • PI
    Spatiotemporal regulation of polyploidy in zebrafish cardiac tissue regeneration
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2023–2027
    R01HL166518-04
  • PI
    Dissecting functions of epicardial transferrin in zebrafish heart regeneration
    American Heart Association · 2023–2026
    23TPA1077772
Completed grants (2)
  • PI
    Targeting macrophages for cardiac repair after a heart attack
    Feldstein Medical Foundation, Inc. · 2024–2025
    FMFI 241573-01
  • PI
    Dissecting the mechanisms of epicardium-guided heart regeneration
    American Heart Association · 2018–2021
    18CDA34110108

News mentions

4 mentionsView all WCM news ↗
  • Newly Discovered Cell Helps Shape Blood Vessel Growth in the Heart
    October 1, 2026

    Researchers have discovered a new cell type that may help regulate blood vessel growth in the heart during development and in response to injury, according to a study from Weill Cornell Medicine. Working with zebrafish, they found that the new cell type helps stabilize the vascular network that supplies oxygen to growing cardiac muscle.

  • Coordinating the Development of Heart Muscle and Vasculature
    August 5, 2026

    During development, regional dips in oxygen levels serve as a signal that triggers the coordinated growth of heart muscle and coronary vessels, according to a new study.

  • 45th Vincent du Vigneaud Symposium Celebrates Graduate Student Research
    April 30, 2026

    The 45th annual Vincent du Vigneaud Memorial Research Symposium, a student-organized event that has become central to the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences experience, had a record number of 153 abstracts submitted this year, including posters and eight oral presentations.

  • Losing Key Type of Pancreatic Cell May Contribute to Diabetes
    March 16, 2023

    Multiple types of beta cells produce insulin in the pancreas, helping to balance blood sugar levels. Losing a particularly productive type of beta cell may contribute to the development of diabetes.

Mentoring

4 menteesAll publications with mentees →