Person
Zhu, Shizhen
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Biography and Research Interest
Dr. Zhu's laboratory utilizes functional genomics approach and robust zebrafish model system to explore the contributions of findings emerging from integrative genomic studies to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma and different types of cancers, and to translate the knowledge gained from experimental studies into effective therapy for these devastating malignancies.
Focus areas
1. Neuroblastoma pathogenesis. Dr. Zhu's laboratory focuses on i) exploring the in vivo contributions of new genetic findings emerging from integrative genomic studies to neuroblastoma pathogenesis, ii) uncovering molecular mechanisms that underlie the tumor initiation and progression, and iii) developing novel targeted therapies for this devastating childhood malignancy.
2. Tumor metastasis. By taking the advantage of an innovative zebrafish model of neuroblastoma metastasis, Dr. Zhu is particularly interested in defining the mechanisms underlying the metastasis of neuroblastoma cells in vivo and identifying novel genes and pathways are critical for this metastatic disease using novel forward and reverse genetic approaches.
3. Phosphatase signaling in tumorigenesis. An additional area of focus is to understand the role of aberrantly regulated phosphatases signaling, including the SHP2 and the PTPRD tyrosine phosphatases and their pathways, in malignant transformation and progression of neuroblastoma and different types of cancers.
Focus areas
1. Neuroblastoma pathogenesis. Dr. Zhu's laboratory focuses on i) exploring the in vivo contributions of new genetic findings emerging from integrative genomic studies to neuroblastoma pathogenesis, ii) uncovering molecular mechanisms that underlie the tumor initiation and progression, and iii) developing novel targeted therapies for this devastating childhood malignancy.
2. Tumor metastasis. By taking the advantage of an innovative zebrafish model of neuroblastoma metastasis, Dr. Zhu is particularly interested in defining the mechanisms underlying the metastasis of neuroblastoma cells in vivo and identifying novel genes and pathways are critical for this metastatic disease using novel forward and reverse genetic approaches.
3. Phosphatase signaling in tumorigenesis. An additional area of focus is to understand the role of aberrantly regulated phosphatases signaling, including the SHP2 and the PTPRD tyrosine phosphatases and their pathways, in malignant transformation and progression of neuroblastoma and different types of cancers.
Non-Zebrafish Publications
Oldridge DA, Wood AC, Weichert-Leahey N, Crimmins I, Sussman R, Winter C, McDaniel LD, Diamond M, Hart LS, Zhu S, Durbin AD, Abraham BJ, Anders L, Tian L, Zhang S, Wei JS, Khan J, Bramlett K, Rahman N, Capasso M, Iolascon A, Gerhard DS, Guidry Auvil JM, Young RA, Hakonarson H, Diskin SJ, Thomas Look A, Maris JM. Genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma mediated by a LMO1 super-enhancer polymorphism. Nature. 2015, Nov, PMID: 26560027.