My Lab has long been committed to addressing critical clinical challenges in orthodontics through integrated basic and translational research, with three primary focus areas:

Our first major research thrust focuses on Mechanobiology and Osteoimmunomodulation. Centered on the dynamic equilibrium of "mechanical force-immune microenvironment-bone metabolism," we systematically investigate the biomechanical regulatory network during orthodontic tooth movement. Utilizing in vivo/in vitro models (e.g., genetically modified animals, tension loading platforms), we elucidate the cellular/molecular mechanisms of alveolar bone remodeling under tensile/compressive forces, with particular emphasis on the interactions among periodontal ligament cells, cementoblasts, osteoblasts, and immune cells. Through cutting-edge techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, we have identified pivotal signaling pathways.

The second major research thrust is focused on Bone Regeneration Engineering. Building upon foundational research in osteoimmunomodulation, we develop biomaterials to enhance bone regeneration. Our innovations include functionalized hydrogel systems (e.g., aspirin/BMSC-loaded dynamic-covalent double-network hyaluronic acid hydrogels) that modulate immune microenvironments to improve osseous defect repair. Research spans mechanical compatibility design, controlled drug delivery optimization, and in vivo/in vitro validation of osteogenic/angiogenic effects, providing solutions for clinical needs such as alveolar bone augmentation.

The third major research thrust is focused on Orthodontic Clinical Study. To advance evidence-based practice, we conduct various clinical studies with advanced methodologies like AI (CBCT image segmentation algorithms) and biomechanical simulation (3D finite element analysis), including establishing quantitative classification systems for cleft morphology and prognostic prediction models, investigating correlations between bone graft resorption rates and tooth movement efficiency in PAOO, and optimizing clear aligner protocols.

DIRECTOR

Weiran Li, DDS, PhD,

Professor

Principal Investigator

weiranli@bjmu.edu.cn

Dr. Weiran Li is a Professor, Chief Physician, and Doctoral Supervisor at the Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. She currently serves as the Director of the Department of Orthodontics.

Dr. Li obtained her doctoral degree from the School of Stomatology, Peking Medical University, in 1993. Then, she conducted research at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom from 1998 to 1999. For many years, Dr. Li has been engaged in clinical practice, research, and teaching in orthodontics.  As a principal investigator, her main research interests include multidisciplinary orthodontic treatment of various malocclusions, orthodontic treatment of secondary deformities in cleft lip and palate, craniofacial growth and development, oral and maxillofacial functional studies, molecular biology of bone metabolism, and tissue engineering. She has led multiple research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the National Health Commission. Dr. Li has authored over 190 peer-reviewed publications in both domestic core journals and international SCI-indexed journals. She has received eight provincial and ministerial-level science and technology awards. Dr. Li has contributed to 20 textbooks and monographs. Dr. Li serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Journal of Orthodontics and Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research. Dr. Li has supervised over ten master's students, more than twenty doctoral students, and three postdoctoral researchers.

RESEARCH AREAS

Mechanobiology and Osteoimmunomodulation

Our multidisciplinary approach integrates mechanical engineering, molecular biology, and computational analysis to advance the understanding of orthodontic biomechanics and inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Our team explores the biological mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement and develops clinical intervention methods based on mechanobiology and osteoimmunomodulation. To simulate the tension force environment, our team developed an in vitro tension force device and published relevant patents and articles. At the same time, the research team found that the production of extracellular vesicles by compressed odontoblasts can restore macrophage efferocytosis and anti-inflammatory function, promote bone repair, and was validated in vitro and in vivo. The research team also conducted a study on the spatial transcriptomics of periodontal tissue during orthodontic tooth movement, exploring the mechanism of tooth movement from a bioinformatics perspective.

Bone Regeneration Engineering

Building upon established principles of osteoimmunomodulation, our research team has collaboratively engineered a novel hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel system through interdisciplinary integration with materials science. This dynamically/covalently dual-crosslinked biomaterial incorporates acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), demonstrating dual functionality in macrophage M2 polarization and osteogenic differentiation. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations confirm its mechanistic capacity to reshape immune microenvironments, significantly enhancing cranial bone regeneration in rat defect models through spatially controlled immunomodulation-osseointegration coupling.

Orthodontic Clinical Research

As clinician-scientists engaged in translational research, we spearhead clinical investigations encompassing three pivotal domains: 1) Biomechanical optimization of clear aligner therapeutics, 2) Craniofacial orthodontics for cleft lip/palate rehabilitation, and 3) Mechanobiology-informed safety surveillance during orthodontic interventions. Through systematic integration of AI-powered biomechanical modeling, quantitative CBCT-derived phenotyping, and dynamic pulp hemodynamic monitoring via laser Doppler flowmetry, we establish precision treatment frameworks that enhance therapeutic precision and patient prognosis.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Extracellular Vesicles from Compression-Loaded Cementoblasts Promote the Tissue Repair Function of Macrophages

Advanced Science, July 2024

The Long Non-Coding RNA Landscape of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Subjected to Compressive Force.

European Journal of Orthodontics, August 2019

Injectable hyaluronate-based hydrogel with a dynamic/covalent dual-crosslinked architecture for bone tissue engineering: Enhancing osteogenesis and immune regulation 

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, December 2024

Biomechanical analysis of miniscrew-assisted molar distalization with clear aligners: a three-dimensional finite element study

European Journal of Orthodontics, January 2024

LncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 regulates periodontal ligament cell migration under mechanical compression via ADAMTS9/fibronectin

Journal of Periodontal Research, February 2024

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 plays a role in orthodontic tooth movement by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation.

Orthodontics craniofacial research, May 2024

Comparison of temporomandibular joints in relation to ages and vertical facial types in skeletal class II female patients: a multiple-cross-sectional study.

BMC Oral Health, April 2024

Tooth movement analysis of maxillary dentition distalization using clear aligner with buccal and palatal mini-screw anchorages: a finite element study.

Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research, June 2024

Alveolar bone remodelling and stability of mandibular incisors in adult patients after orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions: A prospective follow-up study.

Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research, June 2024

Autophagy mediates cementoblast mineralization under compression through periostin/β-catenin axis.

Journal Of Cellular Physiology, July 2023

Deep Learning-Predicted Dihydroartemisinin Rescues Osteoporosis by Maintaining Mesenchymal Stem Cell Stemness through Activating Histone 3 Lys 9 Acetylation.

ACS Central Science, October 2023

Long-term bone remodeling of maxillary anterior teeth with post-treatment alveolar bone defect in adult patients with maxillary protrusion: a prospective follow-up study.

Progress in Orthodontics, November 2023

Maxillary molar distalization with a 2-week clear aligner protocol in patients with Class II malocclusion: A retrospective study.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, July 2023

Correlation between alveolar cleft morphology and the outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting for unilateral cleft lip and palate.

BMC Oral Health, June 2022

Pulp blood flow changes in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth after orthodontic retraction: A prospective study.

BMC Oral Health, November 2022

A reduced level of the long non-coding RNA SNHG8 activates the NF-kappaB pathway by releasing functional HIF-1alpha in a hypoxic inflammatory microenvironment.

Stem Cell Research & Therapy, June 2022

Oropharynx and hyoid bone changes in female extraction patients with distinct sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns: a retrospective study.

Head & Face Medicine, September 2022

Long non-coding RNA SNHG5 mediates periodontal inflammation through the NF-κB signalling pathway

Journal Of Clinical Periodontology, October 2022

Compressive force regulates orthodontic tooth movement via activating the NLRP3 inflammasome.

FASEB Journal, December 2022

A Novel Tension Machine Promotes Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteoblastic and Fibroblastic Differentiation by Applying Cyclic Tension.

Stem Cells International, August 2021

TEAM

Yunfei Zheng

DDS, PhD

Research Professor

Yunfei_zheng@bjmu.edu.cn

Yiping Huang

DDS

Associate Chief Physician

yipinghuang@bjmu.edu.cn

Runzhi Guo

DDS

Attending Physician

runzhiguo2017@163.com 

CONTACT

Weiran Li

weiranli@bjmu.edu.cn

+86-10-82195741

Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology,

No.22 Zhongguancun South Avenue,

Haidian District, Beijing 100081, PR China