Research Overview—

Research conducted in the Zhao Lab is devoted to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration that drive the onset and progression of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (sAD), focusing on sex and genetic influences on brain metabolism and microglial homeostasis. These mechanistic investigations aim to identify the target pathways, window of opportunity, and therapeutic biomarkers enabling the translational development of novel strategies toward sex-based sAD prevention, risk reduction, and early intervention.

In summary, we are currently focused on studies in the following areas:

• Sex differences in metabolic brain aging
• Gene x Environment interaction in etiology of sAD
• ApoE2 regulation of glycolysis and brain resilience
• The role of sialic acid and sialylation in sAD pathogenesis
• Regulation of microglial homeostasis by secreted Clusterin
• Mitochondria-targeted Clusterin expression and function

The research models and techniques used in our studies include: rodent primary neural cell models (neurons, astrocytes, microglia), human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), human gene stably transfected cell lines, human gene knock-in mouse models, MS proteomics, qRT-PCR arrays, gene cloning, recombinant protein production, synaptic vesicle physiology, mitochondrial biochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, behavioral modeling, and many other general methods commonly used in molecular and cellular biological, pharmacological, and drug discovery research. 

Selected Publications —

Liqin Zhao Publications (PubMed)