Xinyu Zhao
Credentials: Neuroscience Department
Position title: Epigenetic regulation, neural stem cells, neurodevelopment, noncoding RNA, RNA binding protein, learning and memory
Email: xinyu.zhao@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-9906
Address:
Waisman Center
1500 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705
LAB WEBSITE:
FOCUS GROUPS:
Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine; Transcriptional Mechanisms; RNA Biology
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
The research in our laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal development. We are particularly interested in two aspects of gene expression regulation: epigenetic mechanisms through chromatin remodeling and noncoding RNAs and post-transcriptional regulation through RNA binding proteins. We use mouse genetics, primary neural stem cells (NSC), and human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC, hESC), as well as CRISPR gene editing-created genetic mutant and gene-corrected mouse lines and human cells as model systems in our research. We employ a combination of genetic, genomic, proteomic, imaging, and behavioral methods to interrogate the fundamental relationships among gene, brain, and behaviors in neuronal development and their implications in human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Fragile X Syndrome, Autism, and Rett syndrome.
ALSO A TRAINER IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: Neuroscience (NTP), Genetics, Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP), Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (MCP)