Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, Ph.D.

Sections

Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, Ph.D.
Title
Professor
Department
Department of Genetics
Institution
University of Pennsylvania
Address
415 Curie Blvd, 450 CRB
City, State, ZIP
Philadelphia, PA 19072
Phone
(215) 746-5025
Email
[email protected]
Website
http://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g306/c404/p8330052
Research field
Neuroscience
Award year
2010

Research

My research program aims to identify and understand the epigenetic mechanisms by which environment in the form of experience regulates gene expression and ultimately neurodevelopment in the brain, and how defects in this process may lead to cognitive dysfunction. We recently discovered that MeCP2, a methyl-DNA binding protein mutated in the autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome, is dynamically and specifically phosphorylated in the nervous system in response to environmental stimuli. In my laboratory, we use a combination of genomic and proteomic approaches, together with cellular and behavioral assays in transgenic mouse models, to investigate the epigenetic control of experience-dependent gene expression, as well as to understand the molecular and cellular basis of autism spectrum disorders.

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