"Our research program explores the intersection of RNA epigenetics and neurobiology, with a particular emphasis on the role of m6A methylation in brain function and dysfunction. We investigate how this dynamic RNA modification regulates critical processes such as learning, memory, and the pathogenesis of depression, aiming to uncover novel mechanistic insights into neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders."

"RNA molecules constitute the third fundamental class of macromolecules in biology, joining DNA and proteins in their structural and functional importance. These versatile molecules exhibit remarkable diversity in their roles, many of which remain to be fully characterized. A critical layer of RNA regulation occurs through chemical modifications that govern RNA metabolism, localization, and function. The impact of these epitranscriptomic marks on nervous system physiology and pathology represents a frontier in neuroscience research.

Our laboratory is dedicated to deciphering how RNA modifications orchestrate nervous system development, function, and disease. We place special emphasis on m6A methylation, investigating its pivotal role in higher cognitive functions such as learning and memory, as well as its contributions to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders."

Education:

(1)2008.09 - 2014.04

·University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

·Ph.D. in Neurobiology

(2)2004.09 - 2008.06

·Lanzhou University

·B.S. in Biological Sciences

Professional Experience:

(1)2025.03 - Present

·Faculty of Life and Health Science, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT)

·Principal Investigator (Researcher)

(2)2018.12 – 2025.03

·Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences

·Principal Investigator (Researcher)

(3)2015.01 - 2018.12

·School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University

·Research Assistant Professor

Selected publications

(1) Ning C, Wu X, Zhao X, Lu Z, Yao X,Zhou T, Yi L, Sun Y, Wu S, Liu Z, Huang X, Gao L, Liu J. Epigenomic landscapes during prefrontal cortex development and aging in rhesus.Natl Sci Rev.2024 Jun 18;11(8):nwae213. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae213.

(2) Xinli Xu, Shuidiao Zheng, Jiayan Ren, Zixuan Li, Jinyan Li, Zhibin Xu, Feng Yuan, Qixing Yang, Alexander V Margetts, Tate A Pollock, Samara J Vilca, Canyu Yang, Gaowei Chen, Peilei Shen, Shupeng Li, Jianxun Xia, Chuyun Chen,Tao Zhou, Yingjie Zhu, Luis M Tuesta, Liping Wang, Paul J Kenny, Xin-an Liu, Zuxin Chen. Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function.Current Biology. Volume 34, Issue 2,2024,P389-402.e5,

(3) Wu X, Wu C,Zhou T. No significant change of N6 -methyladenosine modification landscape in mouse brain after morphine exposure.Brain Behav. 2024 Jan;14(1):e3350.

(4)Xuelong Yao#;Zongyang Lu#;Zhanying Feng#;Lei Gao#;Xin Zhou;Min Li;Suijuan Zhong;Qian Wu;Zhenbo Liu;Haofeng Zhang;Zeyuan Liu;Lizhi Yi;Tao Zhou;Xudong Zhao;Jun Zhang;Yong Wang;Xingxu Huang;Xiaoqun Wang;Jiang Liu; Comparison of chromatin accessibility landscapes during early development of prefrontal cortex between rhesus macaque and human.Nat Commun,2022 Jul 6;13(1):3883.

(5)Lei Zhang*; Yanyong Cheng; Zhenyu Xue; Jingjie Li; Niming Wu; Jia Yan; Jie Wang; Chao Wang; Weidong Chen;Tao Zhou; Zilong Qiu*; Hong Jiang*;Sevoflurane impairs m6A-mediated mRNA translation and leads to fine motor and cognitive deficits. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2022 Apr;38(2):347-369.

(6) Hailing Shi#; Xuliang Zhang#; Yi-Lan Weng#; Zongyang Lu; Yajing Liu; Zhike Lu; Jianan Li; Piliang Hao; Yu Zhang; Feng Zhang; You Wu; Jary Y. Delgado; Yijing Su; Meera Patel; Xiaohua Cao; Bin Shen; Xingxu Huang; Guo-li Ming; Xiaoxi Zhuang; Hongjun Song*; Chuan He*;Tao Zhou*; “m6A facilitates hippocampus-dependent learning and memory through Ythdf1”,Nature, 2018, 563:249-253.

(7)Ian A. Roundtree; Guan-Zheng Luo; Zijie Zhang; Xiao Wang;Tao Zhou; Yiqiang Cui; Jiahao Sha; Xingxu Huang; Laura Guerrero; Phil Xie; Emily He; Bin Shen; Chuan He*; “YTHDC1 mediates nuclear export of N6-methyladenosine methylated mRNAs”.eLife,2017;6:e31311.

(8)Jianbo Xiu#; Qi Zhang#;Tao Zhou; Tingting Zhou; Yang Chen; Hailan Hu*; “Visualizing an emotional valence map in the limbic forebrain by TAI-FISH”.Nature Neuroscience,2014, 17 (11): 1552-1559.

(9) Kun Li#;Tao Zhou#; Lujian Liao; Zhongfei Yang; Catherine Wong; Fritz Henn; Roberto Malinow; John R. Yates III; Hailan Hu*; “bCaMKII in Lateral Habenula Mediates Core Symptoms of Depression”.Science,2013, 341(6149): 1016-20.(1) Ning C, Wu X, Zhao X, Lu Z, Yao X,Zhou T, Yi L, Sun Y, Wu S, Liu Z, Huang X, Gao L, Liu J. Epigenomic landscapes during prefrontal cortex development and aging in rhesus.Natl Sci Rev.2024 Jun 18;11(8):nwae213. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae213.

(2) Xinli Xu, Shuidiao Zheng, Jiayan Ren, Zixuan Li, Jinyan Li, Zhibin Xu, Feng Yuan, Qixing Yang, Alexander V Margetts, Tate A Pollock, Samara J Vilca, Canyu Yang, Gaowei Chen, Peilei Shen, Shupeng Li, Jianxun Xia, Chuyun Chen,Tao Zhou, Yingjie Zhu, Luis M Tuesta, Liping Wang, Paul J Kenny, Xin-an Liu, Zuxin Chen. Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function.Current Biology. Volume 34, Issue 2,2024,P389-402.e5,

(3) Wu X, Wu C,Zhou T. No significant change of N6 -methyladenosine modification landscape in mouse brain after morphine exposure.Brain Behav. 2024 Jan;14(1):e3350.

(4)Xuelong Yao#;Zongyang Lu#;Zhanying Feng#;Lei Gao#;Xin Zhou;Min Li;Suijuan Zhong;Qian Wu;Zhenbo Liu;Haofeng Zhang;Zeyuan Liu;Lizhi Yi;Tao Zhou;Xudong Zhao;Jun Zhang;Yong Wang;Xingxu Huang;Xiaoqun Wang;Jiang Liu; Comparison of chromatin accessibility landscapes during early development of prefrontal cortex between rhesus macaque and human.Nat Commun,2022 Jul 6;13(1):3883.

(5)Lei Zhang*; Yanyong Cheng; Zhenyu Xue; Jingjie Li; Niming Wu; Jia Yan; Jie Wang; Chao Wang; Weidong Chen;Tao Zhou; Zilong Qiu*; Hong Jiang*;Sevoflurane impairs m6A-mediated mRNA translation and leads to fine motor and cognitive deficits. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2022 Apr;38(2):347-369.

(6) Hailing Shi#; Xuliang Zhang#; Yi-Lan Weng#; Zongyang Lu; Yajing Liu; Zhike Lu; Jianan Li; Piliang Hao; Yu Zhang; Feng Zhang; You Wu; Jary Y. Delgado; Yijing Su; Meera Patel; Xiaohua Cao; Bin Shen; Xingxu Huang; Guo-li Ming; Xiaoxi Zhuang; Hongjun Song*; Chuan He*;Tao Zhou*; “m6A facilitates hippocampus-dependent learning and memory through Ythdf1”,Nature, 2018, 563:249-253.

(7)Ian A. Roundtree; Guan-Zheng Luo; Zijie Zhang; Xiao Wang;Tao Zhou; Yiqiang Cui; Jiahao Sha; Xingxu Huang; Laura Guerrero; Phil Xie; Emily He; Bin Shen; Chuan He*; “YTHDC1 mediates nuclear export of N6-methyladenosine methylated mRNAs”.eLife,2017;6:e31311.

(8)Jianbo Xiu#; Qi Zhang#;Tao Zhou; Tingting Zhou; Yang Chen; Hailan Hu*; “Visualizing an emotional valence map in the limbic forebrain by TAI-FISH”.Nature Neuroscience,2014, 17 (11): 1552-1559.

(9) Kun Li#;Tao Zhou#; Lujian Liao; Zhongfei Yang; Catherine Wong; Fritz Henn; Roberto Malinow; John R. Yates III; Hailan Hu*; “bCaMKII in Lateral Habenula Mediates Core Symptoms of Depression”.Science,2013, 341(6149): 1016-20.

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