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

• Sheleg M, Yu Q, Go C, Wagner GC, Kusnecov AW, Zhou R. (2017)     Decreased maternal behavior and anxiety in ephrin-A5^-/- mice. Genes Brain Behav. 2017 Feb;16(2):271-284. doi:    10.1111/gbb.12319. Epub 2016 Sep 22. PMID: 27535576
• Yu Q, Hui R, Park J, Huang Y, Kusnecov AW, Dreyfus CF, Zhou R. (2017) Strain differences in cuprizone induced    demyelination. Cell Biosci. 2017 Nov 3;7:59. doi:      10.1186/s13578-017-0181-3. eCollection 2017.PMID: 29142736
• Teng S, Palmieri A, Maita I, Zheng C, Das G, Park J, Zhou R,Alder J, Thakker-Varia S. (2019) Inhibition of EphA/Ephrin-A signaling using genetic and pharmacologic approaches improves recovery following traumatic brain injury in mice. Brain Inj. 33(10):1385-1401. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1641622.
• Jiang, Z., Le, Y., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Xu, X., Li, C., Zhang, K., Zhao, S., & Zhou, R.(2021). A modified protocol for the high yield production of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Gene Reports, 24, [101227]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101227
• Inducible motor neuron differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in vivo.Chen M, Wang X, Li C, Lan T, Wei Y, Tang C, Zhou X, Zhou R, Rosa A, Zheng X, Ang S, Zhang K, Zou Q, Lai L. Cell Prolif. 2022 Nov; 55(11): e13319. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13319. Epub 2022 Aug 9. PMID: 35943218
• An AAV Vector for Inducible Gene Delivery Preferentially to Muscle in Vitro and In Vivo.Le Y, Jiang Z, Zheng X et al.2023. International Journal of Genetic Modifications and Recombinations. Vol 1, Issue 2, 46-61.