Research
The Zhu lab uses cell cultures and animal models to elucidate estrogen receptor ligand effects and molecular mechanisms on the modulation of androgen actions and prostate cancer pathogenesis and management. Dr. Zhu also directs the CTSC core laboratory to develop/validate biomarker tests and provide services to investigators in sample processing, storage, and tests in clinical biochemistry, cell biology, cytokines, endocrine, molecular biology and genetics, and 3D printing and scanning.
Current Projects:
- Molecular basis of steroid actions in the prostate
- Biomarker development and validation
Bio
Dr. Zhu had his medical education and residency training at Xiangya School of Medicine in China. He received his PhD from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, where he studied neuronal and hormonal integration on gene expression and its related function. He then did his post-doctor with Donald Pfaff at the Rockefeller University, investigating estrogen and thyroid hormone interaction on the regulation of hypothalamus gene expression and gene-related function. He started to work as a faculty at the Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College in 1996.
Distinctions:
- 2002 New Investigator Award, USAMRAA, DoD, USA
- 2006 Research Incentive Award, the United Soybean Board, USA
Selected Publications:
Zhu YS, Brodsky M, Franklin SO, Huang TH and Inturrisi CE (1993): Metrazole induces the sequential activation of c-fos, proenkephalin and tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in the rat adrenal: Modulation by glucocorticoid and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Mol Pharmacol, 44:328-336. http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org.ezproxy.med.cornell.edu/content/44/2/328
Zhu YS, Yen PM, Chin WW, Pfaff DW (1996). Estrogen and thyroid hormone interaction on regulation of gene expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 93(22):12587-92. DOI:10.1073/pnas.93.22.12587
Qiao Y, Wang L, Cai LQ, Tan C, Imperato-McGinley J and Zhu YS (2011): Inhibition of aberrant androgen receptor induction of prostate specific antigen gene expression, cell proliferation and tumor growth by 17α-estradiol in prostate cancer. J Urology, 185:305-314. DOI:10.1016/j.juro.2010.09.008
Zhu YS and Zhu J (2022): Molecular and cellular functions of lncRNAs in prostate and breast Cancer. Adv Clin Chem 106:91-179. DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2021.09.005
Haghdel A, Smith N, Glodzik L, Li Y, Wang X, Crowder T, Zhu YS, Butler T, Blennow K, McIntire LB, Pahlajani L, Osborne J, Chiang G, de Leon MJ, Ivanidze J (2024): Evidence of pericyte damage in a cognitively normal cohort: association with CSF and PET biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 38(2):107-111. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11132093/