Zhichao Xu
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
McGovern Medical School
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Our laboratory investigates the mechanisms of long-range gene regulation, focusing on structural variants (SVs) and the impact of 3D genome organization on human diseases, especially cancer. We focus on structural variants and how they rewire enhancer-promoter interactions to misregulate key genes during tumorigenesis. By integrating functional genomics, genome editing, and computational approaches, we aim to uncover how noncoding mutations and chromatin architecture contribute to oncogene activation, tumor suppressor silencing, and cancer evolution.
Students interested in chromatin biology, cancer genomics, gene regulation, or bioinformatics, including deep learning, will find a wide range of training opportunities in our lab. Current projects include: (1) high-throughput engineering of chromosomal translocations to map enhancer hijacking across the genome, (2) development of predictive models for oncogene expression using single-cell multi-omic sequencing and machine learning, and (3) functional dissection of trans-acting factors and promoter elements that govern susceptibility to enhancer hijacking. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced techniques such as CRISPR-based genome editing, single-cell RNA-seq and Hi-C, prime editing, and deep learning model development. Depending on their interests, students may focus on experimental or computational approaches, or both, while contributing to cutting-edge cancer regulatory genomics research.
Tutorial students will receive close mentorship and training in hypothesis-driven experimental design, with the opportunity to tailor their work toward computational or experimental emphasis depending on interest. We encourage intellectual curiosity and support diverse backgrounds—whether in biology, computer science, or biomedical engineering.
Keywords: gene regulation, cancer genomics, enhancer hijacking, structural variants, 3D genome, chromatin architecture, CRISPR, Hi-C, genome engineering
McGovern Medical School Faculty
Education & Training
PhD, Tsinghua University, 2017