Research Areas

The Zhou laboratory is interested in the mechanisms mediating cell-cell communication and their roles in normal development, physiology, and diseases. Specifically the Zhou laboratory is investigating the functions of a large family of tyrosine kinase receptors, the Ephs, and their ligands, the ephrins, in neural circuit formation, eye development, and behavior regulations including motor activity, circadian rhythm, and aggression. The Zhou laboratory employs both in vitro and in vivo techniques, including neuron cultures, transgenic and knockout mice, as well as behavior assays.

Research Highlights

Demonstration of a repulsive function of ephrins in axon guidance

Discovering signal transduction pathways mediating ephrin-induced growth cone guidance

Establishing a novel cataract mouse model

Elucidating regulation of cell-cell adhesion by ephrins

Scholarly Activities

Member of editorial board: Neuroscience Bulletin; Cell & Bioscience

Membership in: AAAS, Society of Neuroscice, ARVO

Recent Publications

1. Zhou, R, Zou, H. Victim blaming in negative attention bias? The relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms: The role of different negative attention bias and peer support. J Psychiatr Res. 2025;185 :46-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.03.041. PubMed PMID:40154206
2. Li, X, Ma, X, Zhang, L, Wu, W, Zhou, R, Li, S, Liu, Y, Tan, F, Han, X, Wang, Q et al.. PM2.5 regulates TGF-β1/Smads-mediated pulmonary fibrosis via ROS/SnoN in vitro and in vivo. Int Immunopharmacol. 2025;153 :114477. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114477. PubMed PMID:40154177
3. Liu, X, Liu, H, Chen, L, Duan, J, Ran, H, Chen, L, Zhou, R, Zheng, X. Volume OXygenation index in predicting the efficacy of early non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure: A multicenter study. Heart Lung. 2025;72 :42-47. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2025.03.010. PubMed PMID:40154152
4. Bai, X, Yu, J, Li, Y, Jin, J, Wu, C, Zhou, R. Variability Identification and Uncertainty Evolution Characteristic Analysis of Hydrological Variables in Anhui Province, China. Entropy (Basel). 2025;27 (3):. doi: 10.3390/e27030305. PubMed PMID:40149229 PubMed Central PMC11941455
5. Ling, J, Dungait, JAJ, Delgado-Baquerizo, M, Cui, Z, Zhou, R, Zhang, W, Gao, Q, Chen, Y, Yue, S, Kuzyakov, Y et al.. Soil organic carbon thresholds control fertilizer effects on carbon accrual in croplands worldwide. Nat Commun. 2025;16 (1):3009. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57981-6. PubMed PMID:40148281
6. Liu, Y, Yang, T, Sun, J, Han, Y, Yuan, B, Xiang, Y, Zhou, R, Chen, M, Wang, H. Association between subarachnoid space depth and neurosurgical intervention during conservative observation in children with minor subdural hematoma: a retrospective cohort study. Neurosurg Rev. 2025;48 (1):332. doi: 10.1007/s10143-025-03482-5. PubMed PMID:40146296
7. Shen, MY, Lou, QY, Liu, S, Li, ZJ, Lin, TC, Zhou, R, Feng, DD, Yang, DD, Wu, JN. The efficacy and safety of auricular acupoint therapy on treating functional dyspepsia with insomnia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12 :1496502. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1496502. PubMed PMID:40144883 PubMed Central PMC11937052