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Sheng Zhong Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, Statistics, Computer Science, and Biophysics Ph.D. 2005, Harvard University Combined computational and experimental elucidation of gene regulatory networks. Sheng Zhong 3215 DCL, MC-251 1304 W. Springfield Urbana, IL 61801 217-265-6589 szhong@ad.uiuc.edu

We use computational and experimental approaches to study cellular differentiation and evolution. We aim to address two scientific questions: 1) how gene expression evolves as a consequence of genome sequence evolution; and 2) how genetic network regulate early cell fate decision. We study two biological processes: 1) differentiation of embryonic stem cells, and 2) mammalian preimplantation development. We generate genomic data, develop probabilistic models, use computational inference and experimental validation to understand how gene expression is regulated and how such regulatory mechanisms evolve. Individual projects include:

• Identification of transcriptional networks in high eukaryote organisms. The control of gene transcription is a crucial component in regulating many important biological processes. For example, in the early stages of development, cell fate decisions and differentiation programs are often controlled by the expression of key transcription factor and receptor molecules whose presence or absence help to specify the cell fate, or to activate or suppress a particular differentiation pathway. We are interested in identifying the active transcription factors and their DNA binding sites in certain biological processes. Especially we are generating genomic data and developing computational methodologies to
  1. identify long range enhancers
  2. model the cooperation of multiple transcription factors
  3. identify critical transcriptional regulators for cell differentiation.
• Identification signaling and regulatory pathways that regulate cells' response to environmental stimuli. We develop novel comparative genomic methods on gene expression data and aim to discover essential regulatory pathways for fundamental biological processes such as cell differentiation and aging.