Erfei Bi, Ph.D.
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Department: Cell and Developmental Biology
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
Room 1156, BRB II/III
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6058
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6058
Office: 215-573-6676
Fax: 215-746-8791
Lab: 215-573-6677
Fax: 215-746-8791
Lab: 215-573-6677
Email:
ebi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
ebi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Publications
Links
Search PubMed for articles
Lab website
Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group faculty webpage.
Search PubMed for articles
Lab website
Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group faculty webpage.
Education
B.S.
Wuhan University, P. R. China, 1985.
Ph.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center, 1991.
Permanent linkB.S.
Wuhan University, P. R. China, 1985.
Ph.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center, 1991.
Description of Research Expertise
Research InterestsCytokinesis, Septin Assembly and Remodeling, and Epithelial Tube Formation
Key words: Cytokinesis, abscission, actomyosin ring, exocytosis, ECM remodeling, septin, hepatocyte polarization, apical tube formation
Research Description
Research in our laboratory focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cytokinesis and septin assembly and function, using both yeast and mammalian cells as model systems and an integrative approach involving genetics, advanced imaging, and biochemistry.
Our cytokinesis research centers on dissecting the architecture and regulation of the actomyosin ring, as well as the mechanisms governing targeted vesicle fusion and ECM remodeling at the division site. Our septin studies aim to uncover how septins undergo higher-order assembly and remodeling during the cell cycle, and how these processes contribute to successful cell division.
Another line of research investigates how cytokinesis is linked to hepatocyte polarization and bile canaliculus (BC) formation—two tightly coordinated processes essential to liver architecture and function—using both cell line and mouse models.
Rotation projects: interested students are welcome to discuss possible rotation projects.
Current members of the lab
Xi Chen, Research Specialist D and Lab Manager
Kangji Wang, Senior Investigator
Hiroki Okada, Senior Investigator
Junya Hayase, Postdoc
Wuji Bi, Undergraduate student (Bioengineering)
Selected Publications
Hayase J, Yang L, Zhou YH, Wang K, Xu CR, Bi E.: E- and N-cadherin drive hepatic polarity and lumen elongation via opposing effects on RhoA activity. J Cell Biol 225: e202509170, Aug 2026.Yang L, Zhou YH, Hayase J, Wang L, Zhang W, Bi E, Xu CR.: PAR3-mediated coordination of hepatocyte proliferation, maturation, and architecture in liver development and regeneration. Nat Commun Jun 2026.
Okada H, Feng L, Chen X, Bi E.: Draft genome sequence of the basidiomycetous yeast Kockovaella fuzhouensis CBS 8243. Microbiol Resour Announc Jun 2026.
Wang K, Shu S, Liu X, Bi E.: Role of the nonhelical tailpiece of myosin-II in regulating filament architecture and function. J Cell Biol 225: e202501234, Aug 2026.
Okada H, Chen X, Marquardt J, Wang K, Bi E.: Bni5 regulates and coordinates septin architecture and myosin-II functions at the cell division site. J Cell Biol 224: e202311040, Dec 2025.
Marquardt J, Chen X, Bi E.: Reciprocal regulation by Elm1 and Gin4 controls septin hourglass assembly and remodeling. J Cell Biol 223: e202308143, May 2024.
Wang K, Okada H, Wloka C, Bi E.: Unraveling the mechanisms and evolution of a two-domain module in IQGAP proteins for controlling eukaryotic cytokinesis. Cell Reports 42: 113510, Dec 2023.
Duan, Xudong; Chen, Xi; Wang, Kangji; Chen, Li; Glomb, Oliver; Johnsson, Nils; Feng, Lin; Zhou, Xiao-Qiu; Bi, Erfei: Essential role of the endocytic site-associated protein Ecm25 in stress-induced cell elongation Cell Reports 35(7): 109122, May 2021.
Chen, Xi; Wang, Kangji; Svitkina, Tatyana; Bi, Erfei: Critical Roles of a RhoGEF-Anillin Module in Septin Architectural Remodeling during Cytokinesis. Current Biology 30(8): 1477-1490.e3, Apr 2020.
Joseph Marquardt, Lin-Lin Yao, Hiroki Okada, Tatyana Svitkina, Erfei Bi: The LKB1-like Kinase Elm1 Controls Septin Hourglass Assembly and Stability by Regulating Filament Pairing. Current Biology 30(12): 2386-2394, Jun 2020.