Current research in the Duan lab focuses on studying developmental and cell plasticity. Using zebrafish and cultured human cells, the Duan lab has discovered several conserved mechanisms regulating developmental and cell plasticity. Many are converged onto the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS)-PI3 kinase-Akt-Tor signaling pathway. The Duan lab is also contributing to our understanding of hypoxia and HIF biology.