Qi Tan

Qi Tan, PhD

Assistant Professor
Tissue Fibrosis and Regeneration
Telephone Number
507-437-9638

Biography

Dr. Qi Tan is an Assistant Professor and Section Leader of Tissue Fibrosis and Regeneration at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota. He earned his PhD from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he studied tendon stem cells, their microenvironment, and the development of stem cell–based therapies for tendon and ligament repair. This early work sparked his enduring interest in how adult stem and progenitor cells maintain tissue homeostasis, why repair fails under chronic disease conditions, and how targeting these cells can restore balance and reverse fibrosis.

In 2014, Dr. Tan joined the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Tschumperlin at Mayo Clinic Rochester as a postdoctoral fellow, where he investigated lung fibrosis using multicellular lung organoid systems and transgenic mouse models. He later launched his independent research program as an Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic, where he secured his first NIH R01 grant to study the role of CEBPA in lung fibrosis. This work established the foundational concept that loss of cellular identity in AT2 cells drives persistent lung fibrosis.

At The Hormel Institute, Dr. Tan’s laboratory focuses on the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of failed regeneration in lung fibrosis. His team investigates how stress signals including S100 proteins, hypoxia, and other DAMPs shape epithelial cell identity, immune interactions, and tissue remodeling. By integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid models, aged and genetically engineered mice, and molecular perturbation strategies, his lab seeks to define how lung stem/progenitor cells can be harnessed to restore tissue homeostasis and to develop new regenerative therapies for chronic lung diseases.

 

Education

  • Post-doctoral fellowship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, USA, 2014-2019
  • PhD: Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 2010-2014
  • MS: Genetics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, 2006-2009
  • BS: Biological Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China, 2002-2006

Awards

  • 2022: AJRCMB Junior Investigator Award
  • 2021: American Lung Association Catalyst Award
  • 2018: ATS Abstract Scholarship, American Thoracic Society
  • 2015-2017: Training & Career Development Award in Regenerative Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic
  • 2015: Travel award for 2015 Vermont Stem Cell Conference, Vermont Stem Cell Conference

Research Interests

Our research focuses on how the lung repairs itself after injury and why this process fails in diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. We investigate the dynamic roles of alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells and other key lung cell populations, which together orchestrate cellular identity, tissue regeneration and remodeling through regulation of cell–cell communication, inflammatory signaling, and tissue homeostasis. Using an integrated toolkit of next-generation sequencing, molecular and cellular (organoid) models, and in vivo approaches, we aim to investigate:

  • Intrinsic mechanisms: Define how the loss of cellular identity is sustained and accumulated by epigenetically mediated profibrotic memory, particularly through loss of CEBPA and enhanced hypoxia signaling.
  • Extrinsic mechanisms: Uncover how abnormal cellular interactions and pathological niche environments, including DAMP signaling by S100 proteins and extracellular DNA, contribute to fibrotic progression.
  • Translational approaches: Develop gene therapy (CRISPRa) and small-molecule interventions for cellular reprogramming and endogenous regeneration to alleviate lung fibrosis.

Prfessional Memberships

  • 2017 – Present: Member, American Thoracic Society
  • 2018 – Present: Member, International Society for Stem Cell Research

Primary Research Areas

  • Lung fibrosis, DAMPs, Inflammation and aging, Epigenetics and cellular identity, CRISPR activation, 3D culture and organoid

Publications

  1. Tan Q (Corresponding author), Wellmerling JH, Dresler SR, Meridew JA, Choi KM, Song S, Li Y, YS Prakash YS, Tschumperlin DJ. Targeting C/EBPα to restore cellular identity and tissue homeostasis in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight. 2024 Jul 16: e175290.

  2.  Wellmerling JH, Dresler SR, Meridew JA, Choi KM, Heek AJ, Tschumperlin DJ, Tan Q (Corresponding author). RNA-sequencing reveals differential fibroblast responses to bleomycin and pneumonectomy. Physiol Rep. 2024 Jul;12(13): e16148.

  3.  Li Y, Prakash YS, Tan Q, Tschumperlin DJ. Defining signals that promote human alveolar type I differentiation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2024 Apr 1;326(4): L409-L418.
  4. Tho X. Pham, Jisu Lee, Jiazhen Guan, Nunzia Caporarello, Jeffrey A. Meridew, Dakota L. Jones, Qi Tan, Steven K. Huang, Daniel J. Tschumperlin, Giovanni Ligresti. Transcriptional analysis of lung fibroblasts identifies PIM1 signaling as a driver of aging-associated persistent fibrosis. JCI Insight. 2022 Feb 15;e153672.
  5. Jones DL, Meridew JA, Link P, Ducharme M, Lydon K, Choi KM, Caporarello N, Tan Q, Espinosa AM, Xiong Y, Lee JH, Ye Z, Yan H, Ordog T, Ligresti G, Varelas X, Tschumperlin DJ. ZNF416 is a pivotal transcriptional regulator of fibroblast mechanoactivation. J Cell Biol. 2021 May 3;220(5):e202007152.
  6. Tan Q (Corresponding author), Link P, Meridew JA, Pham T, CaporarelloN, Ligresti G, Tschumperlin DJ. Spontaneous lung fibrosis resolution reveals novel anti-fibrotic regulators. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2021 Apr;64(4):453-464.
  7. Caporarello N, Meridew JA, Aravamudhan A, Jones DL, Austin SA, Pham TX, Haak AJ, Choi KM, Tan Q, Haresi A, Huang SK, Katusic ZS, Tschumperlin DJ, Ligresti G. Vascular dysfunction in aged mice contributes to persistent lung fibrosis. Aging Cell. 2020 Jul 21;e13196.
  8. Aravamudhan A, Haak AJ, Choi KM, Meridew JA, Caporarello N, Jones DL, Tan Q, Ligresti G, Tschumperlin DJ. TBK1 regulates YAP/TAZ and fibrogenic fibroblast activation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2020 Mar 11.
  9. Purdy MP, Ducharme M, Haak AJ, Ravix J, Tan Q, Sicard D, Prakash YS, Tschumperlin DJ, Stewart EA. YAP/TAZ are Activated by Mechanical and Hormonal Stimuli in Myometrium and Exhibit Increased Baseline Activation in Uterine Fibroids. Reprod Sci. 2020 Apr;27(4):1074-1085.
  10. Liu W, Meridew JA, Aravamudhan A, Ligresti G, Tschumperlin DJ, Tan Q (Corresponding author). Targeted regulation of fibroblast state by CRISPR-mediated CEBPA expression. Respir Res. 2019 Dec 11;20(1):281.
  11. Tan Q, Ma XY, Liu W, Meridew JA, Jones DL, Haak AJ, Sicard D, Ligresti G, Tschumperlin DJ. Nascent Lung Organoids Reveal Epithelium- and BMP-Mediated Suppression of Fibroblast Activation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2019 Nov;61(5):607-619.
  12. Haak AJ, Kostallari E, Sicard D, Ligresti G, Choi KM, Caporarello N, Jones DL, Tan Q, Meridew J, Diaz Espinosa AM, Aravamudhan A, Maiers JL, Britt RD Jr, Roden AC, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Nouraie SM, Li X, Zhang Y, Kass DJ, Lagares D, Tager AM, Varelas X, Shah VH, Tschumperlin DJ. Sci Transl Med. 2019 Oct 30;11(516).
  13. Caporarello N, Meridew JA, Jones DL, Tan Q, Haak AJ, Choi KM, Manlove LJ, Prakash YS, Tschumperlin DJ, Ligresti G. Thorax. 2019 Aug;74(8):749-760.
  14. Ligresti G, Caporarello N, Meridew JA, Jones DL, Tan Q, Choi KM, Haak AJ, Aravamudhan A, Roden AC, Prakash YS, Lomberk G, Urrutia RA, Tschumperlin DJ. JCI Insight. 2019 May 16;5.
  15. Tan Q, Tschumperlin DJ. Epigenome Editing Enters the Arena. A New Tool to Reveal (and Reverse?) Pathologic Gene Regulation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Sep 1;198(5):549-551.
  16. Haak AJ, Tan Q, Tschumperlin DJ. Matrix biomechanics and dynamics in pulmonary fibrosis. Matrix Biol. 2017 Dec 21.
  17. Tan Q, Choi KM, Sicard D, Tschumperlin DJ. Human Airway Organoid Engineering as a Step Toward Lung Regeneration and Disease Modeling. Biomaterials. 2017 Jan;113: 118-132.
  18. Tan Q, Lui PP, Lee YW. In vivo identity of tendon stem cells and the roles of stem cells in tendon healing. Stem Cells Dev. 2013 Dec 1;22(23):3128-40.
  19. Wang SZ, Rui YF, Tan Q, Wang C. Enhancing intervertebral disc repair and regeneration through biology: platelet-rich plasma as an alternative strategy. Arthritis Research & Therapy. 2013 Oct, 15:220.
  20. Ni M, Rui YF, Tan Q, Liu Y, Xu LL, Chan KM, Wang Y, Li G. Engineered Scaffold-Free Tendon Tissue Produced by Tendon-Derived Stem Cells. Biomaterials. 2013 Mar;34(8):2024-37.
  21. Rui YF, Lui PP, Wong YM, Tan Q, Chan KM. BMP-2 stimulated non-tenogenic differentiation and promoted proteoglycan deposition of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) in vitro. J Orthop Res. 2013 May;31(5):746-53.
  22. Rui YF, Lui PP, Wong YM, Tan Q, Chan KM. Altered fate of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) isolated from a failed tendon healing animal model of tendinopathy. Stem Cells Dev. 2013 Apr 1;22(7):1076-85.
  23. Ni M, Lui PP, Rui YF, Lee YW, Lee YW, Tan Q, Wong YM, Kong SK, Lau PM, Li G, Chan KM. Tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) promote tendon repair in a rat patellar tendon window defect model. J Orthop Res. 2012 Apr;30(4):613-9.
  24. Tan Q, Lui PP, Rui YF, Wong YM. Comparison of Potentials of Stem Cells Isolated from Tendon and Bone Marrow for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering. Tissue Eng Part A. 2012 Apr;18(7-8):840-51.
  25. Tan Q, Lui PP, Rui YF. Effect of In Vitro Passaging on the Stem Cell-Related Properties of Tendon-Derived Stem Cells-Implications in Tissue Engineering. Stem Cells Dev. 2012 Mar 20;21(5):790-800.

 

Complete List of Published Work

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1hcHrPqSFb8ovz/bibliography/public/