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. Meng, JJ, Liu, SY, Qiu, XC, Zhou, RJ. [Bacterial Community Structure of Typical Lake Sediments in Yinchuan City and Its Response to Heavy Metals]. Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2024;45 (5):2727-2740. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202305247. PubMed PMID:38629536
2. Hu, YX, Zhou, RJ, Song, W, Yang, QH, Wang, XR. [Analysis on Hydrochemical Evolution of Shallow Groundwater East of Yongding River in Fengtai District, Beijing]. Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2024;45 (5):2651-2664. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202305033. PubMed PMID:38629529
3. Dong, T, Ding, R, Zhou, R, Shen, C, Sheridan, W, Paez, D, Zhao, Z, Wu, P, Li, F. A Portable Nucleic Acid Testing Platform with Photosensitization, a Three-Dimensionally Printed Multipiece Chip, and Digital Color Sensing. Anal Chem. 2024; :. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05897. PubMed PMID:38626114
4. Che, J, He, N, Kuang, X, Zheng, C, Zhou, R, Zhan, X, Liu, Z. Dietary n-3 fatty acids intake and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024; :. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae265. PubMed PMID:38625900
5. Zhou, R, Li, R, Ding, Q, Zhang, Y, Yang, H, Han, Y, Liu, C, Liu, J, Wang, S. OPN silencing reduces hypoxic pulmonary hypertension via PI3K-AKT-induced protective autophagy. Sci Rep. 2024;14 (1):8670. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-59367-y. PubMed PMID:38622371 PubMed Central PMC11018812
6. Li, K, Zhang, C, Zhou, R, Cheng, M, Ling, R, Xiong, G, Ma, J, Zhu, Y, Chen, S, Chen, J et al.. Single cell analysis unveils B cell-dominated immune subtypes in HNSCC for enhanced prognostic and therapeutic stratification. Int J Oral Sci. 2024;16 (1):29. doi: 10.1038/s41368-024-00292-1. PubMed PMID:38622125 PubMed Central PMC11018606
7. Luo, J, Zhou, J, Luo, JZ, Wang, HL, Zhao, XL, Zhou, RD. Inhibiting MMP13 Attenuates Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Mouse Model by Reducing the Expression of Pdpn. Curr Med Sci. 2024; :. doi: 10.1007/s11596-024-2862-6. PubMed PMID:38619683