University of Wisconsin-Madison · Neuroscience

FMRP Innovations Lab

Xinyu Zhao · Madison, Wisconsin

Research Focus

Dr. Xinyu Zhao's lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on understanding the role of a specific protein, FMRP, in brain development, particularly in primates and humans. This research is crucial for uncovering the mechanisms behind Fragile X Syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. By examining how FMRP influences neuronal maturation and energy metabolism, the lab aims to contribute to the development of better therapies for these conditions.

Fragile X SyndromeFMRPprimate brain developmentneuronal maturationenergy metabolismautismmitochondrial functiongene regulationhuman neurons

Research Aims

AIM 01Investigate FMRP functions in primate prenatal brain development.

AIM 02Uncover the gene regulation roles of FMRP in neuronal maturation.

AIM 03Study the impact of FMRP deficiency on mitochondrial function in human neurons.

AIM 04Explore the relationship between FMRP, RACK1, and energy metabolism in neuronal development.

AIM 05Identify primate-specific targets of FMRP that are crucial for cortical development.

Skills the Lab Values

RNA sequencingCLIP-seqco-immunoprecipitationpatch-seqcell culturepluripotent stem cell differentiationelectrophysiologymass spectrometrydata analysis in neuroscience

Output against the department

Publications940top 4% of dept.27th of 671

this lab

most publishedleast published

Citations17ktop 25% of dept.165th of 671

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.