Zhang xu(张旭)

My interests focus on elucidating how histone mutations remodel cancer epigenome and reprogram cell fate during tumorigenesis and identifying tumor vulnerabilities or manipulating cell fate for novel therapies. With current interests and a strong background in manipulating cell fate using small molecules, I am now studying diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), which is a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor with a median survival of less than one year. The majority of DIPG have the driver mutations in genes of histone H3 variant H3.3 and H3.1, which leads to amino acid changes at lysine (K) 27 residue to methionine (M) (H3K27M). Using ChIP-seq, RNA-Seq, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and mouse models, I am committed to dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanism. Using CRIPR-Cas9 genetic screen and small-molecule inhibitors, I am also determined to identify novel therapeutic targets or strategies. These efforts may lead to better understanding and novel therapies for DIPG.