Primary research interests:

Neuroendocrine axes provideideal tractable model systems organized hierarchically. They involve multipleorgans including nervous system and periphery to regulate biological processesand behavior, suchassexual motivation, reproductive behaviors, stress responsiveness, mood andemotions, energy storage and expenditure, etc. My work investigates interactionsamong the circadian, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

1.Neuropeptides

In HPGaxis, theneuropeptides including gonadotropin-releasinghormone (GnRH), kisspeptin(KiSS), and RFamide-related peptide (RFRP in rodents, the mammalian of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in birds)act on nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems with either stimulatory or inhibitory effects, whichfurther regulates variousgonadal functions including the release of sex hormones to maintain theintegrity of the reproductive system and influence sex behavior. My laboratory is interested with thebiological functions and cellular regulation of these neuropeptides in brainand the target tissue (gonad) using several animal models including circadianmodel, hydrocephalus model, and infertility model.

2.Stem cellsand progenitor cells in nervous system

Mylaboratory also interested with the mechanisms related with the proliferationand differentiation of the stem cell in brain and the progenitor cells inretina, especially for those mechanisms involving neuropeptides and circadiancontrol.

3.Diseases.

Currently,stroke, brain tumor, and diabetic eye disease are the major disease models usedin laboratory for translational research related with neuropeptides.

4.Technologyinnovations

Other interest of my laboratory is thedevelopment of new tools in neuroscience and molecular biology, includingmagnetogenetic technology, novel genetic calcium sensor, nanobody, and in situ real-time nuclear acidamplification system.

Licenses / patents:

Zhao S*and Fernald RD. Real-time PCR Miner for Real-time PCR Quantification.

2004, Stanford License #S04-261, Patent pending.

http://otlportal.stanford.edu/techfinder/technology/ID=24142/http://www.ibridgenetwork.org/stanford/real-time-pcr-miner

http://www.miner.ewindup.info

Publications:

Till 2018/11, total 1649 cited (stat by ResearchGate).

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sheng_Zhao3

1.WangXH, Li W, Chen J, Qiu SH, Yin H, Zhao S, Carvalho V, Zhou YT, Shi RF, Hu JN, LiSY, Nijiati M, Sun ZL*. A Transcriptional Sequencing Analysis of Islet StellateCell and Pancreatic Stellate Cell, Journal of Diabetes Research, 2018.1.24,2018

2.SongH, Wang D, De Jesus Perez F, Xie R, Liu Z, Chen CC, Yu M, Yuan L, Fernald RD, Zhao S^*. (Jul 2017) Rhythmicexpressed clock regulates the transcription of proliferating cellular nuclearantigen in teleost retina. Exp Eye Res. 160: 21-30.

3.SongH, Zhang Y, Liu N, Zhang D, Wan C, ZhaoS, Kong Y, Yuan L. (Dec 2016) Let-7b inhibits the malignant behavior ofglioma cells and glioma stem-like cells via downregulation of E2F2. J PhysiolBiochem. 72(4): 733-744.

4.SongH, Zhang Y, Liu N, Zhao S, Kong Y,Yuan L. (Oct 2016) miR-92a-3p Exerts Various Effects in Glioma and GliomaStem-Like Cells Specifically Targeting CDH1/β-Catenin and Notch-1/Akt SignalingPathways. Int J Mol Sci. 17(11). pii: E1799.

5.SongH, Zhang Y, Liu N, Wan C, Zhang D, ZhaoS, Kong Y, Yuan L. (Jun 2016) miR-92b regulates glioma cells proliferation,migration, invasion, and apoptosis via PTEN/Akt signaling pathway. J PhysiolBiochem. 72(2):201-211.

6.LiS, Wang Q, Qiang Q, Shan H, Shi M, Chen B, ZhaoS, Yuan L. (Nov 2015) Sp1-mediated transcriptional regulation of MALAT1plays a critical role in tumor. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 141(11):1909-1920.

7.GeraghtyAC, Muroy SE, Zhao S, Bentley GE,Kriegsfeld LJ, Kaufer D*. (Jan. 2015) Knockdown of hypothalamic RFRP3 preventschronic stress-induced infertility and embryo resorption. eLife 4, e04316.

8.PiekarskiDJ, Zhao S, Jennings KJ, Iwasa T,Legan SJ, Mikkelsen JD, Tsutsui K, Kriegsfeld LJ*. (Jul 2013) Gonadotropin-inhibitoryhormone reduces sexual motivation but not lordosis behavior in female Syrianhamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Hormone Behavior. 64(3), 501-510.

9.RuijterJM*, Pfaffl MW, Zhao S, Spiess AN,Boggy G, Blom J, Rutledge RG, Sisti D, Lievens A, De Preter K, Derveaux S,Hellemans J, Vandesompele J. (Jan 2013) Evaluation of qPCR curve analysismethods for reliable biomarker discovery: Bias, resolution, precision, andimplications. Methods. 59(1), 32-46.

10.KriegsfeldLJ*,Gibson EM, Williams, WP, Zhao S, Mason AO, Bentley GE, Tsutsui, K(Jul 2010) The Roleof RFamide-Related Peptide-3 (RFRP-3) in Mammalian Reproductive Function andBehavior. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 22(7), 692-700.

11.MasonAO, Duffy S, Zhao S, Ubuka T,Bentley GE, Tsutsui K, Silver R, Kriegsfeld LJ*(Jun 2010)Photoperiod and Reproductive Condition Are Associated with Changes inRFamide-Related Peptide (RFRP) Expression in Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetusauratus)., Journal of Biological Rhythms, 25(3), 176-185.

12.Zhao S, Kelm RJ Jr, Fernald RD* (Mar 2010)Regulation of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone 1 Gene Transcription by Members ofthe Purine-Rich Element Binding Protein Family., American Journal of Physiology.Endocrinology and Metabolism, 298(3), E524-533.

13.Zhao S, Zhu E, Yang C, Bentley GE, Tsutsui K, andKriegsfeld LJ* (Feb 2010) RFamide-Related Peptide and Messenger RibonucleicAcid Expression in Mammalian Testis: Association with the Spermatogenic Cycle.,Endocrinology, 151(2), 617-627.

14.Zhao S and Kriegsfeld LJ* (Jan 2009) Daily changesin GT1–7 cell sensitivity to GnRH secretagogues that trigger ovulation., Neuroendocrinology,89(4), 448-457.

15.GibsonEM, Humber SA, Jain S, Williams WP, ZhaoS, Bentley GE, Tsutsui K, Kriegsfeld LJ* (Oct 2008) Alterations in RFamide-relatedpeptide expression are coordinated with the preovulatory luteinizing hormonesurge., Endocrinology, 149(10), 4958-4969.

16.KorzanWJ, Robison RR, Zhao S, Fernald RD*(Sep 2008) Color change as a potential behavioral strategy., Hormones and behavior,54(3), 463-470.

17.Zhao S, Korzan WJ, Chen CC, Fernald RD* (Jan 2008)Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B and G inhibits the transcription ofgonadotropin releasing hormone 1., Molecular and cellular neuroscience, 37(1),69-84.

18.GroneBP, Zhao S, Chen CC, Fernald RD*(Dec 2007) Localization and diurnal expression of melanopsin, vertebrateancient opsin, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide mRNA in ateleost retina., Journal of biological rhythms, 22(6), 558-561.

19.BrillJ, Lee M, Zhao S, Fernald RD, andHuguenard JR*. (Jun 2006) Chronic valproic acid treatment triggers increasedneuropeptide y expression and signaling in rat nucleus reticularis thalami. Journalof Neuroscience. 26(25), 6813-6822.

20.Zhao S^* and Fernald RD. (Oct 2005) Comprehensivealgorithm for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Journal of ComputationalBiology. 12(8), 1045-1062.

21.Zhao S, Yang YN, Song JG*. (Apr 2004) Ceramideinduces caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis in A-431 cells. Journal ofCellular Physiology. 199(1), 47-56.

22.YangY, Zhao S, Song J*. (Feb 2004)Caspase-dependent apoptosis and -independent poly (ADP-ribose) polymerasecleavage induced by transforming growth factor beta1. International Journal ofBiochemistry & Cell Biology. 36(2), 223-234.

23.ChenHH, Zhao S, Song JG*. (May 2003)TGF-beta1 suppresses apoptosis via differential regulation of MAP kinases andceramide production. Cell Death and Differentiation. 10(5), 516-527.

24.Zhao S, Du XY, Chen JS, Zhou YC, Song JG*. (Oct2002) Secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibits epidermal growth factor-inducedreceptor activation. Experimental Cell Research. 279(2), 354-364.

25.Zhao S, Du XY, Chai MQ, Chen JS, Zhou YC, Song JG*.(Apr 2002) Secretory phospholipase A(2) induces apoptosis via a mechanisminvolving ceramide generation. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Molecular and CellBiology of Lipids. 1581(3), 75-88.

26.ChaiMQ, Chen JS, Zhao S, Song JG*. (Sep2001) Propranolol increases phosphatidic acid level via activation ofphospholipase D. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 22(9), 777-784.

27.LiaoJH, Chen JS, Chai MQ, Zhao S, SongJG*. (Jun 2001) The involvement of p38 MAPK in transforming growth factorbeta1-induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes. Cell Research. 11(2),89-94.

28.ChenJS, Chai MQ, Chen HH, Zhao S, SongJG*. (Nov 2000) Regulation of phospholipase D activity and ceramide productionin daunorubicin-induced apoptosis in A-431 cells. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta- Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 1488(3), 219-232.

29.ZhouBH, Chen JS, Chai MQ, Zhao S, LiangJ, Chen HH, Song JG*. (Jun 2000) Activation of phospholipase D activity intransforming growth factor-beta-induced cell growth inhibition. Cell Research.10(2), 139-149.