University at Buffalo · PhysiologyThe Epigenetic Insights Lab
Zhen Yan · Buffalo, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Zhen Yan's lab focuses on understanding neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. They explore the role of epigenetics—how genes are regulated—using advanced models such as genetically modified mice and human stem cells. The goal is to develop new treatments targeting the molecular and cellular changes that occur in these conditions, with the hope of improving cognitive and social functions in affected individuals.
epigeneticsautismAlzheimer's diseaseLSD1stem cellstranscriptomicsmouse modelssynaptic functionhuman neurons
Research Aims
3AIM 01Discover pharmacological interventions for autism symptoms using animal models and human stem cells.
AIM 02Characterize epigenetic changes and therapeutic effects of inhibitors on autism-related gene expression.
AIM 03Identify transcriptomic shifts associated with early Alzheimer's disease to target cognitive decline.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell cultureRNA sequencingChIP-seqelectrophysiologymouse modelsoptogeneticsbioinformaticshuman stem cell differentiation
Output against the department
Publications230top 26% of dept.73rd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations35ktop 6% of dept.16th 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.