Cellular metabolism
Hongying Shen’s long-term research interest is to study the "unknowns" in cellular metabolism. She focuses on characterizing human orphan metabolic enzymes and transporters genetically associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Shen plans to harness the power of modern technology, including CRISPR genome editing and high-resolution mass spec metabolomics, in her research at the interface between metabolic biochemistry and neuronal cell biology. Because cellular metabolism is central to neuronal development and intercellular communication in the developing brain, her research aligns with the Center for Neurodevelopment and Plasticity in the Wu Tsai Institute.