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. Varlı, M, Zhou, R, Liu, R, Rho, JK, Ha, HH, Hur, JS, Kim, H. 4-O-Demethylbarbatic acid has a novel therapeutic impact on the progression of EGFR-driven lung adenocarcinoma. Phytomedicine. 2025;145 :156973. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156973. PubMed PMID:40578034
2. Liu, Y, Zhang, S, Sun, S, Song, H, Jiang, N, Wei, D, Zhou, R, Zhou, Y, Xiao, W. Spatiotemporal variations of atmospheric XCH₄ in China based on multiple spatially continuous satellite-derived products. J Environ Manage. 2025;390 :126309. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126309. PubMed PMID:40577866
3. Ding, M, Wu, G, Zhang, S, Xie, R, Yuan, J, Xiao, G, Zhang, X, Dai, J, Chen, J, Wang, S et al.. Clinical implications and application of molecular testing in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in the Chinese population. Clin Cancer Res. 2025; :. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-0270. PubMed PMID:40577541
4. Zheng, J, Jiang, X, Bai, S, Lai, M, Yu, J, Chen, M, Zhou, R, Jia, Y, Yan, H, Liang, Z et al.. Clinically Accurate Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease via Single-Molecule Bioelectronic Label-Free Profiling of Multiple Blood Extracellular Vesicle Biomarkers. Adv Mater. 2025; :e2505262. doi: 10.1002/adma.202505262. PubMed PMID:40576521
5. Zhang, F, Xiao, M, Zhang, C, Yuan, G, Xie, Z, Yin, Y, Zhou, R, Yuan, S, Xiao, G, Mei, D et al.. Effect of Intravenous Tirofiban Versus Placebo on Excellent Outcome in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Multicenter, Randomized INSTANT Trial Protocol. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025; :e038536. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.038536. PubMed PMID:40576038
6. Li, X, Li, X, Tong, L, Hu, L, Hong, Y, Zhou, R, Li, Z, Dong, M, Hou, J, Xu, T et al.. Systematic Evaluation of Isolation Techniques and Freeze-Thaw Effects on Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Heterogeneity and Subpopulation Profiling. J Extracell Biol. 2025;4 (6):e70058. doi: 10.1002/jex2.70058. PubMed PMID:40575388 PubMed Central PMC12199058
7. Li, Y, Xing, J, Zhou, R, Li, Y, Huang, Z, Zhu, Z, Zang, H, Su, Z, Sun, X, Yang, B et al.. A (111) Facet-Dominated Carbon Dots-Perovskite Composite Crystal Matrix for Highly Stable Photodetector. Small. 2025; :e2501181. doi: 10.1002/smll.202501181. PubMed PMID:40574377