Dr. Dai’s research focuses on the understanding of the biological function and molecular mechanisms of the p53 tumor suppression and c-Myc oncogenic pathways. Dr. Dai’s prior research has demonstrated that some ribosomal proteins play a critical role in regulating both the MDM2-p53 and c-Myc pathway in response to nucleolar stress. His findings help to understand how ribosomal biogenesis is tightly coordinated with cell cycle progression during normal homeostasis. Currently, Dr. Dai’s lab is investigating (1) the mechanism underlying  post-translational regulation of the MDM2-p53 pathway, including ubiquitination and SUMOylation regulation of p53 protein stability and activity by in response to stress. (2) the role of ubiquitination and SUMOylation in controlling c-Myc protein stability and activity. (3) role and mechanisms of ubiquitination and SUMOylation  regulation of nucleolar factors in nucleolar dynamics and ribosome biogenesis in cancer.  Dr. Dai’s research would provide important information on how the p53 tumor suppressor and c-Myc oncoprotein are tightly controlled in both physiological and stress conditions, thereby providing a possible means to manipulate p53 and c-Myc function in cancer cells.