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Introduction of the Zhang Laboratory

We are part of the Department of Systems Biology, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, and the Motor Neuron Center at Columbia University Medical Center. We are fascinated by the complexity of the mammalian nervous system and its underlying molecular mechanisms. While mammals have a similar number of genes compared to phenotypically simpler organisms (such as worms), one apparent feature of mammalian genes is their more complicated gene structures, providing an opportunity for sophisticated regulation at the RNA level. The focus of the Zhang lab is to dissect RNA regulatory networks in the nervous system as a way to understand the mammalian complexity manifested in evolutionary-developmental (evo-devo) processes and in several neuronal disorders. The lab has a mixed dry and wet setup, and takes a multidisciplinary approach that tightly integrates high-throughput biochemistry, genomics and computational approaches applied to mouse models and in vitro neuronal differentiation systems from pluripotent stem cells. On the mechanistic side, the Zhang lab focuses on fundamental understanding of the targeting specificity of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), how they regulate alternative splicing in various cellular contexts, especially in the nervous system, and how such regulation can be disrupted by mutations and genetic variations. On the functional side, the lab aims to uncover the roles of RBPs in determining the neuronal cell fate, morphological and functional properties during neural differentiation and maturation. The lab has also been working on translating fundamental knowledge on RNA regulation to precision genetic medicine, with a particular focus on multiple devastating monogenic diseases affecting the central nervous system. 2022 Lab summer BBQ (10 year lab anniversary & celebration of Melissa's new faculty position)

Lab News

01/23/2023. Our department highlighted our work in the annual news letter. 01/23/2023. We are one of the three winners of the Brain Research Foundation Scientific Innovations Award in a national competition. 12/14/2022. Welcome Jessica Estrada, who joined the lab recently as a technician. 09/28/2022. The Zhang lab received a prestigious Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35) from NIH/NIGMS and R56 award from NHGRI. 09/28/2022. Welcome Yow-Tyng (Tim) Yeh to join the lab as a postdoc! 09/16/2022. The Zhang lab held annual BBQ to celebrate 10th anniversary and Melissa Campbell's new faculty position. 07/14/2022. Welcome Paola Rincheti and Suvrajit Maji, who started as postdoc in the lab recently. >>> all lab news

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Where We Are

Columbia University Irving Medical Center (image credit: internet)	Washington Height, NYC (image credit: @KellyrKopp/twitter)