The vast majority of RNAs in higher organisms do not produce proteins, thus are collectively referred to as regulatory and non-coding RNAs. These RNAs take various forms (long and short, circular and linear), and play a key role in a wide array of physiological processes, including cell proliferation, antiviral defense, neurodevelopment, and cellular metabolism. Dr. Zhou’s group employs a combination of biochemical, genetic and functional genomic approaches in both fruit flies and cultured mammalian cells to study the function and regulation of non-coding RNAs. In particular, his lab focuses on how defects in microRNA and circular RNA production and/or function can lead to immune disorders, defective neural development, metabolic diseases and tumor formation.
The vast majority of the transcriptome in eukaryotes do not produce proteins, thus are referred to as regulatory and non-coding RNAs. These RNAs play a key role in a wide array of physiological processes, including cell cycle, development, innate immunity and homeostasis. Dysregulation of non-coding RNA production or function can lead to various pathological conditions in humans. Dr. Zhou’s group employs a combination of biochemical, genetic and functional genomic approaches in both the genetically tractable model organism Drosophila melanogaster and cultured mammalian cells to study the function and regulation of non-coding RNAs. His lab particularly focuses on how defects in microRNA and circular RNA production and/or function can lead to immune disorders, defective neural development, metabolic diseases and tumor formation.
