We uncovered that genetic information flow follows 12h ultradian rhythms in a wide range of species including mice and humans
We uncovered that genetic information flow follows 12h ultradian rhythms in a wide range of species including mice and humans
In addition to the circadian rhythms (rhythms with a period of ~24h), biological rhythms with a period of ~12h also exist. We recently discovered a cell-autonomous mammalian 12h-clock that runs independently from the circadian clock to regulate 12h oscillations of genetic information flow and metabolism (Zhu et al., Cell Metabolism, 2017, Pan et al., PLoS Biology, 2020, Meng et al., Nature Communications, 2020, Dion et al., Science Advances, 2022, Meng et al., Cell Reports, 2022, Asher and Zhu, Hepatology, 2022). We are currently investigating the regulation as well as the physiological/pathological functions of the 12h-clock in aging, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, taking a combination of computational, biochemical, genetic, cellular, imaging and genomic approaches.
For a brief introduction of our research, please check out the following videos and news coverage of our work.
4 minutes short video of our work
Bokai Zhu, Ph..D.
A native of Beijing, China, Bokai received his B.S. degree from Peking University, China and received his Ph.D. at the Pennsylvania State University with Dr. Jeffrey Peters. After that, he continued with his post-doctoral training with Dr. Bert W O’Malley at Baylor College of Medicine at Houston. He was later promoted to the instructor position as a junior faculty at Baylor. During his tenure at Baylor College of Medicine, his research focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms regulation and the cross-talk between circadian rhythms and hepatic cellular metabolism. Recently, he uncovered a novel mammalian 12h-clock that runs independently from the circadian rhythm to coordinate cellular stress response with metabolism. He joined the Aging Institute at Pittsburgh School of Medicine in September, 2018.
Selective Honors
A postdoctoral position is currently available. Start date is immediate and flexible. Candidates should ideally have received a doctoral degree no more than 3 years before the start date. Researchers with a passion in systemic and quantitative chronobiology, cell biology, metabolism and endocrinology, molecular biology, gene regulation and epigenetics are welcome to apply.
Graduate Student
Dr. Zhu is affiliated with Integrative Systems Biology (ISB), Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology (CBMP), Molecular Genetics and Development Biology (MGDB), and joint CMU-Pitt Program in Computational Biology (CPCB) graduate programs. Several rotation projects are currently available for prospective students.
Research Technician(s)
Please apply here.
Please email your application to Bokai, including:
A cover letter describing your past training, research interests and career goals (optional)
A detailed CV
Contact information of three referees
Room 565, Bridgeside Point 1, 100 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Email: BZHU@pitt.edu Phone:412-383-0447
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