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Ling Qin, Ph.D.
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Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
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Contact information
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McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
1a 311A Stemmler Hall
35 3450 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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1a 311A Stemmler Hall
35 3450 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Office: 215-898-6697
32 Fax: 215-573-2133
32 Lab: 215-898-3261
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32 Fax: 215-573-2133
32 Lab: 215-898-3261
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Education:
21 8 BS 26 (Bioscience and Technology) c
36 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1992.
21 b Ph.D. 19 (Biochemistry) c
41 UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 2001.
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Permanent link21 8 BS 26 (Bioscience and Technology) c
36 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1992.
21 b Ph.D. 19 (Biochemistry) c
41 UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 2001.
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a1 stem cell biology, bone and cartilage metabolism, fracture healing, skeletal adipose tissue, meniscus injury and repair, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis
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21 Area of Special Interest:
315 The Qin lab studies the cellular and molecular basis for skeletal development, homeostasis, aging, and diseases. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are two common skeletal diseases that cause huge economic and social burdens to our society. We utilize cutting edge techniques, including single-cell transcriptome analysis, 3D fluorescent imaging, and genetically modified animal models, to identify mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells at various musculoskeletal sites and investigate the function of progenitors and their descendants under normal and disease conditions. In collaborating with a team of multidisciplinary scientists and clinicians, our ultimate goal is to translate the studies on fundamental mechanisms of skeletal cell function into future clinical applications.
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2e Ongoing projects in our group include:
115 • Delineating mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells in bone marrow, periosteum, joint, and muscle. We apply advanced single-cell transcriptomics approach to identify stem cell and progenitor subpopulations responsible for skeletal tissue homeostasis and regeneration.
1cb • Investigating a novel adipose cell type (MALP) in bone marrow and its multifaceted actions in regulating bone metabolism. Our recent work discovered a unique cell type that expresses adipocyte markers but contains no lipid droplets. As adipocyte precursors, they exist abundantly as pericytes and stromal cells that form a ubiquitous 3D network inside the bone marrow cavity to regulate bone formation, resorption, angiogenesis, and hematopoiesis.
1ba • Understanding the mechanism of radiation-induced osteoporosis and delayed fracture healing. Focal radiotherapy for cancer patients is frequently associated with skeletal damage within the radiation field. Our research on focal radiation animal models reveals the mechanism of radiation damage on bone structure and fracture repair. More importantly, we have proposed new therapeutic interventions for radiation-induced bone loss.
1ad • Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling for osteoarthritis treatment. We are the first group to demonstrate that EGFR signaling is critical for maintaining the superficial layer of articular cartilage and preventing osteoarthritis initiation. In collaboration with bioengineers, we develop a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that targets EGFR in joint cartilage for osteoarthritis therapy.
1d5 • Exploring the molecular pathways governing meniscus homeostasis and injury repair. Meniscus tears are the most common injury to the knee. Our research on mesenchymal progenitors in meniscus discovers the Hedgehog signaling as a novel therapeutic target for treating meniscus injury and preventing osteoarthritis. This finding shed light on designing an advanced bioengineering approach to improve healing of tears that are otherwise considered irreparable.
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19 Rotation Projects
66 Please contact Dr. Ling Qin if you are interested in discussing a rotation project in the lab.
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b1 Qin’s lab is accepting applications from creative and motivated students and postdoc trainees who can empower the lab’s work through rigorous learning and dedication.
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Description of Research Expertise
23 Area of Expertise:a1 stem cell biology, bone and cartilage metabolism, fracture healing, skeletal adipose tissue, meniscus injury and repair, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis
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21 Area of Special Interest:
315 The Qin lab studies the cellular and molecular basis for skeletal development, homeostasis, aging, and diseases. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are two common skeletal diseases that cause huge economic and social burdens to our society. We utilize cutting edge techniques, including single-cell transcriptome analysis, 3D fluorescent imaging, and genetically modified animal models, to identify mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells at various musculoskeletal sites and investigate the function of progenitors and their descendants under normal and disease conditions. In collaborating with a team of multidisciplinary scientists and clinicians, our ultimate goal is to translate the studies on fundamental mechanisms of skeletal cell function into future clinical applications.
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2e Ongoing projects in our group include:
115 • Delineating mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells in bone marrow, periosteum, joint, and muscle. We apply advanced single-cell transcriptomics approach to identify stem cell and progenitor subpopulations responsible for skeletal tissue homeostasis and regeneration.
1cb • Investigating a novel adipose cell type (MALP) in bone marrow and its multifaceted actions in regulating bone metabolism. Our recent work discovered a unique cell type that expresses adipocyte markers but contains no lipid droplets. As adipocyte precursors, they exist abundantly as pericytes and stromal cells that form a ubiquitous 3D network inside the bone marrow cavity to regulate bone formation, resorption, angiogenesis, and hematopoiesis.
1ba • Understanding the mechanism of radiation-induced osteoporosis and delayed fracture healing. Focal radiotherapy for cancer patients is frequently associated with skeletal damage within the radiation field. Our research on focal radiation animal models reveals the mechanism of radiation damage on bone structure and fracture repair. More importantly, we have proposed new therapeutic interventions for radiation-induced bone loss.
1ad • Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling for osteoarthritis treatment. We are the first group to demonstrate that EGFR signaling is critical for maintaining the superficial layer of articular cartilage and preventing osteoarthritis initiation. In collaboration with bioengineers, we develop a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that targets EGFR in joint cartilage for osteoarthritis therapy.
1d5 • Exploring the molecular pathways governing meniscus homeostasis and injury repair. Meniscus tears are the most common injury to the knee. Our research on mesenchymal progenitors in meniscus discovers the Hedgehog signaling as a novel therapeutic target for treating meniscus injury and preventing osteoarthritis. This finding shed light on designing an advanced bioengineering approach to improve healing of tears that are otherwise considered irreparable.
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19 Rotation Projects
66 Please contact Dr. Ling Qin if you are interested in discussing a rotation project in the lab.
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b1 Qin’s lab is accepting applications from creative and motivated students and postdoc trainees who can empower the lab’s work through rigorous learning and dedication.
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16f Zhang, J., Acosta, F.M., Wang, X., Zhao, D., Zhang, L., Hua, R., Guo, Q., Zhong, L., Qin, L., Riquelme, M.A., and Jiang, J.X. : Osteocyte connexin hemichannels and prostaglandin E2 release dictate bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell commitment. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 122: e2412144122, 2025.
287 Verginadisa, I.I.#, Velalopouloua, A.#, Kim, M.M., Kim, K., Paraskevaidis, I., Bell, B. Motlagha, S.A.O., Karaj, A., Banerjee, E. Finesso, G., Assenmacher, C., Radaelli, E., Lu, J., Lin, Y., Putt, M.E., Diffenderfer, E.S., Guha, C., Qin, L., Metza, J.M., Maity, A.*, Cengel, K.A*, Koumenis, C.*, and Busch, T.M.*: FLASH proton reirradiation, with or without hypofractionation, reduces chronic toxicity in the normal murine intestine, skin, and bone. Radiother Oncol. 205: 110744, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work. *: co-corresponding authors.
163 Lu, J., He, Q., Wang, H., Yao, L., Duffy, M., Guo, H., Braun, C., Zhou, Y., Liang, Q., Lin, Y., Bandyopadhyay, S., Tan, K., Choi, Y., Liu, S., and Qin, L. : Bone marrow adipogenic lineage precursors are the major regulator of bone resorption in adult mice. Bone Res. 13: 39, 2025.
155 Wang, H.#, Yao, L.#, Zhong, L.#, Fang, J.#, He, Q., Busch, T., Cengel, K., and Qin, L. : Marrow adipogenic lineage precursors (MALPs) facilitate bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. Bone 195: 117446, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work.
1a4 He, Q.#, Lu, J.#, Liang, Q., Yao, L., Sun, T., Wang, H., Duffy, M., Jiang, X., Lin, Y., Lee, J., Ahn, J., Dyment, N., Mourkioti, F., Boerckel, J., and Qin, L. : Prg4+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors in muscle are crucial for bone fracture repair. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 122: e2417806122, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work.
1c8 Tang, S. #, Yao, L. #, Ruan, J., Kang, J., Cao, Y., Nie, X., Lan, W., Zhu, Z., Han, W., Liu, Y., Tian, J., Seale, P., Qin, L. *, Ding, C*. #: these authors contributed equally to this work. *: co-corresponding authors. : Single-cell atlas of human infrapatellar fat pad and synovium unravels mechanisms of osteoarthritis-induced joint pathology. Sci Transl Med. 16: eadf4590, 2024.
176 Collins, J.M., Lang, A., Parisi, C., Moharrer, Y., Nijsure, M.P., Kim, J.H., Szeto, G.L., Qin, L., Gottardi, R.L., Dyment, N.A., Nowlan, N.C., and Boerckel, J.D.: YAP and TAZ couple osteoblast precursor mobilization to angiogenesis and mechanoregulated bone development. Dev. Cell. 59: 211-227, 2024.
1be Li, J.#, Gui, T.#, Yao, L., Guo, H., Lin, Y., Lu, J., Fang, J., Duffy, M., Zgonis, M., Mauck, R., Dyment, N., Zhang, Y., Scanzello, C., Seale, P., and Qin, L. #: these authors contributed equally to this work. : Synovium and infrapatellar fat pad share common mesenchymal progenitors and undergo coordinated changes in osteoarthritis. J Bone Miner Res. 39: 161-176, 2024.
11c Tian, Z., Shofer F.S., Fan, M., Sandroni, A.Z., Yao, L., Han, L., Qin, L., Enomoto-Iwamoto, M., and Zhang, Y. : ADAM8 inactivation retards intervertebral disc degeneration in mice. Genes Dis. 11: 101059, 2024.
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Selected Publications
133 Wang, H., He, X., Ma, M., Dou, T., Wei, Y., Rux, D., Qin, L., Yang, Y., Zhu, Y., and Yao, L. : Integrating spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to characterize mouse long bone fracture healing process. Commun. Biol. 8: 887, 2025.16f Zhang, J., Acosta, F.M., Wang, X., Zhao, D., Zhang, L., Hua, R., Guo, Q., Zhong, L., Qin, L., Riquelme, M.A., and Jiang, J.X. : Osteocyte connexin hemichannels and prostaglandin E2 release dictate bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell commitment. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 122: e2412144122, 2025.
287 Verginadisa, I.I.#, Velalopouloua, A.#, Kim, M.M., Kim, K., Paraskevaidis, I., Bell, B. Motlagha, S.A.O., Karaj, A., Banerjee, E. Finesso, G., Assenmacher, C., Radaelli, E., Lu, J., Lin, Y., Putt, M.E., Diffenderfer, E.S., Guha, C., Qin, L., Metza, J.M., Maity, A.*, Cengel, K.A*, Koumenis, C.*, and Busch, T.M.*: FLASH proton reirradiation, with or without hypofractionation, reduces chronic toxicity in the normal murine intestine, skin, and bone. Radiother Oncol. 205: 110744, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work. *: co-corresponding authors.
163 Lu, J., He, Q., Wang, H., Yao, L., Duffy, M., Guo, H., Braun, C., Zhou, Y., Liang, Q., Lin, Y., Bandyopadhyay, S., Tan, K., Choi, Y., Liu, S., and Qin, L. : Bone marrow adipogenic lineage precursors are the major regulator of bone resorption in adult mice. Bone Res. 13: 39, 2025.
155 Wang, H.#, Yao, L.#, Zhong, L.#, Fang, J.#, He, Q., Busch, T., Cengel, K., and Qin, L. : Marrow adipogenic lineage precursors (MALPs) facilitate bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. Bone 195: 117446, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work.
1a4 He, Q.#, Lu, J.#, Liang, Q., Yao, L., Sun, T., Wang, H., Duffy, M., Jiang, X., Lin, Y., Lee, J., Ahn, J., Dyment, N., Mourkioti, F., Boerckel, J., and Qin, L. : Prg4+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors in muscle are crucial for bone fracture repair. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 122: e2417806122, 2025 Notes: #: these authors contributed equally to this work.
1c8 Tang, S. #, Yao, L. #, Ruan, J., Kang, J., Cao, Y., Nie, X., Lan, W., Zhu, Z., Han, W., Liu, Y., Tian, J., Seale, P., Qin, L. *, Ding, C*. #: these authors contributed equally to this work. *: co-corresponding authors. : Single-cell atlas of human infrapatellar fat pad and synovium unravels mechanisms of osteoarthritis-induced joint pathology. Sci Transl Med. 16: eadf4590, 2024.
176 Collins, J.M., Lang, A., Parisi, C., Moharrer, Y., Nijsure, M.P., Kim, J.H., Szeto, G.L., Qin, L., Gottardi, R.L., Dyment, N.A., Nowlan, N.C., and Boerckel, J.D.: YAP and TAZ couple osteoblast precursor mobilization to angiogenesis and mechanoregulated bone development. Dev. Cell. 59: 211-227, 2024.
1be Li, J.#, Gui, T.#, Yao, L., Guo, H., Lin, Y., Lu, J., Fang, J., Duffy, M., Zgonis, M., Mauck, R., Dyment, N., Zhang, Y., Scanzello, C., Seale, P., and Qin, L. #: these authors contributed equally to this work. : Synovium and infrapatellar fat pad share common mesenchymal progenitors and undergo coordinated changes in osteoarthritis. J Bone Miner Res. 39: 161-176, 2024.
11c Tian, Z., Shofer F.S., Fan, M., Sandroni, A.Z., Yao, L., Han, L., Qin, L., Enomoto-Iwamoto, M., and Zhang, Y. : ADAM8 inactivation retards intervertebral disc degeneration in mice. Genes Dis. 11: 101059, 2024.
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