Hong Jiang, Ph.D.

Principle Investigator

Peking University, Health Science Center

Neuroscience Research Institute,

10091, Beijing, China

Phone: +86-(0)10-82805859

Email: hong.jiang@hsc.pku.edu.cn

Research Interests

The prevalence of sleep disorders is increasing worldwide in modern society. Given the close correlation between sleep and metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, there is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms linking sleep and metabolism. Our group focuses on the hypothalamus, a central brain region that governs a variety of innate behaviors, investigating the underlying neural circuits and brain-body communication pathways. We combine state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and in vivo/in vitro neuronal recordings, within models of sleep and metabolic disorders. Our goal is to identify molecular and cell type–specific targets for the future treatment of sleep and metabolic diseases, and to provide a scientific foundation for lifestyle interventions related to sleep, diet, and exercise.

Education and Academic Achievements

     2022 ~Present   Tenure-Track Assistant Professor/Principle Investigator

                        Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology

                        Peking University, Beijing, China

2015 ~ 2022    Postdoctoral Fellow

                        Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism,

                        Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany

                        Mentor: Prof. Dr. Jens C. Brüning, Group leader and Director of the institute

2019 ~ 2022    Lecturer

                        Neuroscience Program, Department of Anatomy, University of Cologne

2018 ~ 2020    Scientific Project Lead

                        Strategic Partnership of MPI-MR and NovoNordisk, Denmark

2008～2014     Ph.D. in Neurobiology, Department of Neurobiology,

                        School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China.

                        Mentors: Prof. You Wan, Prof. Guo-Gang Xing

2003～2008     M.D. in Clinical Medicine,

                         Zheng Zhou University, Henan, China.

    

Publications (#corresponding author, *first author)

1. Y. Wang, S. Fu, J. Mao, K. Cui, Hong Jiang#, Hypocretin: a promising target for the regulation of homeostasis, Frontiers in Neuroscience Volume 19 - 2025 (2025).

2. Chen, Xiangtong, Yutong Wang, Su Fu, You Wan, Jian Mao, Kun Cui, and Hong Jiang#. 2025. The Integrated Function of the Lateral Hypothalamus in Energy Homeostasis,  Cells  14, no. 14: 1042

3. S. Izawa, D. Fusca, Hong Jiang, C. Heilinger, A.C. Hausen, F.T. Wunderlich, L. Steuernagel, P. Kloppenburg, J.C. Bruning, Orexin/hypocretin receptor 2 signaling in MCH neurons regulates REM sleep and insulin sensitivity, Cell Rep 44(2) (2025) 115277.

4. Jiang, Hong#. Hypothalamic GABAergic neurocircuitry in the regulation of energy homeostasis and sleep/wake control,  Medical Review , vol. 2, no. 5, 2022, pp. 531-540.

5. Hong Jiang*, Jiang-Ping Liu, Ke Xi, Ling-Yu Liu, Ling-Yu Kong, Jie Cai, Si-Qing Cai, Xi-Yuan Han, Jing-Gui Song, Xiao-Mei Yang, You Wan, Guo-Gang Xing. Contribution of AMPA receptor-medi ated LTD in LA/BLA-CeA pathway to comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain,  Journal of Neuroscience , 2021, 41(34): 7278-7299

6. Hong Jiang*, Sarah Gallet, Paul Klemm, Pia Scholl, Kat Folz-Donahue, Janine Altmüller, Jens Alber, Christian Heilinger, Christian Kukat, Helge Müller-Fielitz, Sivaraj Sundaram, Markus Schwaninger, Vincent Prevot and Jens C. Brüning. MCH Neurons Regulate Permeability of the Median Eminence Barrier.  Neuron . 2020, July 22; 107: 1-14.

7. Hong Jiang*, Jens C. Brüning. Melanin-Concentrating Hormone-Dependent Control of Feeding: When Volume Matters.  Cell Metabolism . 2018, July 3; 28(1): 7-8.

8. A. Christine Hausen, Johan Ruud, Hong Jiang, Simon Hess, Hristo Varbanov, Peter Kloppenburg, Jens C. Brüning. Insulin-Dependent Activation of MCH Neurons Impairs Locomotor Activity and Insulin Sensitivity in Obesity.  Cell Reports . 2016, 17: 2512–2521

9. Hong Jiang*, Dong Fang, Ling-Yu Kong, Zi-Run Jin, Xue-Jing Kang, Jie Cai, You Wan, Guo-Gang Xing. Sensitization of Neurons in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala via the Decreased GABAergic Inhibition Contributes to the Development of Neuropathic Pain-Related Anxiety-like Behaviors in Rats . Molecular Brain . 2014, 7: 72.

10. Qin Zheng, Dong Fang, Min Liu, Hong Jiang, Jie Cai, You Wan, Guo-Gang Xing. The Excitability of Primary Sensory Neuron in Bone Caner Pain Model.  Chinese Journal of Pain Medicine . 2011, 17(3): 166-170. (In Chinese)

11. Yi-Lin Song, Nan-Sen Lin, Hong Jiang, Chun-Xiu Liu, Guo-Gang Xing, Xin-Xia Cai. The Application of Nano Platinum Black Modified Microelectrode Array in Neural Electrophysiology Recording . Journal of Southeast University (Medical Science Edition), 2011, Feb; 30 (1) : 29-32 (In Chinese)

12. Feng-Yu Liu, Xiao-Xiu Qu, Xu Ding, Jie Cai, Hong Jiang, You Wan, Ji-Sheng Han, Guo-Gang Xing. Decrease in the Descending Inhibitory 5-HT System in Rats with Spinal Nerve Ligation . Brain Res  earch . 2010, May 12; 1330: 45-60.

Teaching and Supervising Experiences

2022-02 ~ Present PhD supervisor and in charge of teaching course-‘Advance Neurobiology’ in  graduate school of PKU health science center, department of neurobiology

2019-10 ~ 2021-02 Lecturer in Neuroscience Program

Department of Anatomy

University of Cologne

Module: Basic Research Techniques Applied in Metabolic Neuroscience

WS for Master Students,

Submodule: Calcium Imaging Technique

2016-04 ~ 2016-07 Supervisor of the Master Student

University of Cologne

Her project mainly focuses on Melanin-concentrating Hormone (MCH)

neurons projections through the mouse brain employing transgenic

mice and immunofluorescence staining techniques.