Duke University · PharmacologyTransposon Biology Lab
Zhao Zhang · Durham, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Zhao Zhang's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how transposons, which make up a significant portion of our DNA, can influence our health and development. They use advanced techniques to investigate the regulation of these genetic elements and their interactions with our biological systems. The lab's work not only seeks to uncover fundamental mechanisms but also aims to find ways to control transposon activity for health benefits.
transposonsgenomic instabilityretrotransposonsgenome integritybiological impactDrosophila geneticsimmune responsesilencing factorsgenome-wide screens
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate mechanisms regulating transposon activation.
AIM 02Identify new regulatory factors for retrotransposon silencing.
AIM 03Explore the role of transposons in host immune responses.
AIM 04Examine host-transposon dynamics and their evolutionary impacts.
AIM 05Uncover strategies to control transposon activity for health advancements.
Skills the Lab Values
genome-wide screeningDrosophila geneticsDNA repair assayssingle-cell resolution techniquesproteomicscell culturereporter system developmentRNA sequencinggenetic engineering
Output against the department
Publications180bottom 49% of dept.235th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.3kbottom 32% of dept.312th of 462
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.