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Richard Lu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department Developmental Biology
Eugene Mc Dermott Scholar in Biomedical Research, UT Southwestern

Personal Overview

Office: (214) 648-7410
FAX: (214) 648-7343
Building NB, Room 5.110
Email:QRichard.Lu@UTSouthwestern.edu

The central goal of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms of neural cell fate specification and differentiation in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). We are interested in the neural stem cell biology and cell fate specification. Using gliogenesis as a model for neural stem cell differentiation, we have identified a number of regulatory genes important for the formation of neurons and glial cells, the major cell types in the CNS.

Our current projects include:

(1) Roles of bHLH Olig1 and Olig2 in neural fate specification and neuroregeneration in the CNS

(2) Transcriptional and epigenetic control of differentiation in myelinating oligodendroglial cells from embryonic stem cells

(3) Identification and characterization of novel transcriptional regulators in neural cell fate specification and disease formation

(4) Neuropathic pain mechanisms in mice with myelinating disorders

(5) Psychological disorders in glia-dysfunction animals

Award & Honors:

Eugene Mc Dermott Scholar in Biomedical Research, UT Southwestern
Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar
Basil O Conner Scholar

Selected Publications:

1. Lu, QR, Sun, T., Zhu, Z., Ma, N., Garcia, M., Stiles, CD and Rowitch, D. (2002) " Common developmental requirement for Olig function indicates a motor neuron/oligodendrocyte connection " CELL, 109, 75-86.

2. Lu, QR, Cai, L., Rowitch, D., Cepko, CL. and Stiles, CD. (2001) "Ectopic Expression of Olig1 Promotes Oligodendrocyte Formation and reduces Neuronal Survival in Developing Mouse Cortex" Nature Neuroscience., 4, 973-974.

3. Lu, QR, Park, J., Noll, E, Chan, JA, Alberta, J., Yuk, D., Alzamora, MG, Louis, DN, Stiles, CD, Rowitch, DH. and Black, PM. (2001) "Oligodendrocyte Lineage Genes (OLIG) as Molecular Markers for Human Glial Brain Tumors". Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA , 98, 10851-10856.

4. Lu, QR, Yuk, D., Alberta, JA., Zhu, Z., Pawlitzky, I., Chan, J., McMahon, AP., Stiles, CD. and Rowitch, DH. (2000) “Sonic Hedgehog–Regulated Oligodendrocyte Lineage Genes Encoding bHLH Proteins in the Mammalian Central Nervous System” NEURON, 25, 317–329

 To access any of the publications referenced on this website please visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed