University of California-Los Angeles · PhysiologyThe UTR Genetics Lab
Xinshu Grace Xiao · Los Angeles, California
Research Focus
Dr. Xinshu Grace Xiao's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding the genetic factors related to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The lab investigates how certain genetic variants affect post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA, particularly through the analysis of 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) and the role of RNA derived from retrotransposable elements. Their research aims to uncover new insights into the mechanisms that contribute to AD, potentially leading to innovative therapeutic strategies.
Alzheimer's Disease3' UTR genetic variantspost-transcriptional regulationRNA-binding proteinsretrotransposable elements
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify genetic variants in 3' UTRs relevant to Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 02Characterize the function of RNA derived from retrotransposable elements in neurons.
AIM 03Examine the impact of RNA-binding proteins on dsRNAs associated with Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 04Investigate post-transcriptional mechanisms altering gene expression in Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 05Develop methodologies to analyze large public datasets for genetic variant effects.
Skills the Lab Values
BioinformaticsRNA sequencingCell cultureMolecular cloningWestern blotting
Output against the department
Publications173top 40% of dept.115th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations13ktop 24% of dept.70th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.