Jian Zhou, PhD

Our research investigates how chromatin regulators and transcription factors orchestrate neuronal gene expression programs that underlie brain function and complex human behaviors. Disruptions of these molecular processes often lead to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates chromatin biology, biochemistry, chronobiology, genetics, and neural engineering, we study molecularly related neurological disease models to uncover both convergent and divergent pathogenic mechanisms.

We are particularly interested in three interrelated questions: What molecular pathways drive phenotypic diversity across genetically distinct neurological disorders? How does neural activity influence behavior in health and disease? And what are the genetic and molecular bases of sleep and circadian dysfunction in ASDs and AD, and can restoring these rhythms ameliorate other symptoms? By addressing these questions, we aim to uncover fundamental principles of brain function and identify novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.