Research Areas > Building and wiring the brain: > Julius Zhu-Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity and Mental Retardation

Julius Zhu-Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity and Mental Retardation

J.  Julius  Zhu
Degree(s): PhD
Graduate School: University of Wisconsin Medical School
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor, Pharmacology
Research Interests:
Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity and Mental Retardation
Website: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pharmacology/faculty/zhu_lab.cfm
Email Address: jjzhu@virginia.edu

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
    • Research Description

    My students and I are interested in central neural circuits and synapses. We enjoy developing new experimental approaches that combine cutting-edge techniques, including recombinant DNA delivery and replacement, multiple whole-cell recordings, two photon laser scanning and immunoelectron microscopy. These approaches provide new windows to view subcellular or nanoscale biological affairs (e.g., Ras/MAPK signaling-regulated AMPA-R trafficking and circuit organization). Because genetic defects of molecules involved in Ras/MAPK signaling may lead to a number of cognitive disorders (e.g., Akt/PKB and calcineurin with schizophrenia, BRaf with cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, CaMKII with Angelman syndrome, H-Ras with Costello syndrome, p38 MAPK and JNK with Alzheimer's disease, PI3K with fragile X syndrome, PTEN with autism, Cowden and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndromes, RasGap NF1 with neurofibromatosis, Rsk with Coffin-Lowry syndrome and X-linked mental retardation, SHP-2 with Noonan syndrome, and tuberin with tuberous sclerosis), the findings from our research should guide the future development of treatments for these insidious diseases.

    Selected Publications
  • Kielland A, Bochorishvili G, Corson J, Zhang L, Rosin DL, Heggelund P and Zhu JJ (2009) Activity patterns govern synapse-specific AMPA-R trafficking between deliverable and synaptic pools. Neuron 62:84-101 (leading-authored by graduate student).
  • McCormack SG, Stornetta RL and Zhu JJ (2006) Synaptic AMPA Receptor Exchange Maintains Bidirectional Plasticity. Neuron 50:75-88 (leading-authored by graduate student).
  • Qin Y, Zhu Y, Baumgart JP, Stornetta RL, Seidenman K, Mack V, van Aelst L and Zhu JJ (2005) State-dependent Ras signaling and AMPA receptors trafficking. Genes Dev 19:2000-2015.
  • Zhu JJ, Qin Y, Zhao M, van Aelst L and Malinow R (2002) Ras and Rap control AMPA receptor trafficking during synaptic plasticity. Cell 110:443-455.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800735, Jordan Hall, 5th Floor, Room 5050, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-243-9246
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-3878
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