School of Life Science, Peking University

Yi Rao, Ph.D.

Peking University Chair Professor,
Dean, Peking University School of Life Sciences,
Investigator, National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing
New Life Sciences Building, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, P. R. China 100871

tel : 86 - 10 - 8072-6672/6688/6368

fax : 86 - 10 - 8072-6673

New Life Science Building, Peking University, Summer Palace Road No. 5, Beijing, P. R. China 100871

Research Interests

We have two major lines of research: molecular studies of neuronal polarity and genetic analysis of social behavior.

Polarity is a basic cellular feature. Each neuron usually has an axon and multiple dendrites, each playing different roles: dendrites usually receive signals from other cells and axons send signals to other cells. Abnormalities in neuronal polarity disrupt informational flow in the nervous system. Our lab currently focuses on signal transduction pathways involved in establishing and maintaining neuronal polarity. Molecular and subcellular studies of neuronal polarity will contribute to our understanding of the basic mechanisms and may also suggest new approaches to facilitate recovery after neural injuries.

We take genetic approaches to study social behaviors in Drosophila and mice. We focus on three basic social interactions: aggression among members of the same sex, courtship between members of the opposite sex (usually) and parental behavior between members of different generations. We use quantifiable behavioral paradigms to observe behaviors and characterize behavioral changes caused by natural and artificial stimuli. Genetic manipulations allow us to control neuronal activities in defined regions, which make it possible to determine brain regions involved in a specific behavior. Analysis of behavioral phenotype of genetic mutations allows us to discover molecules underlying behaviors. We hope to understand the molecules and neural pathways involved in behavior and the molecular and cellular mechanisms required for the development of behaviors.

Publications

Zhou C, Rao Y, and Rao Y. , A subset of octopaminergic neurons are important for Drosophila aggression , Nature Neurosci , 2008 , 11:1059-1061
Li X, Gao X, Liu G, Xiong W, Wu J, Rao Y , Netrin signal transduction and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor DOCK180 in attractive signaling , Nature Neurosci , 2008 , 11:28-35
Jiang H., Guo W., Liang X.H., and Rao Y. , . Both the establishment and the maintenance of neuronal polarity require active mechanisms: critical roles of GSK-3b and its upstream regulators. , Cell. , 2005 , 120: 123-135.
Liu G., Beggs H., Jürgensen C., Park H.T., Tang H., Gorski J., Jones K.R., Reichardt L.F., Wu J.Y., and Rao Y. , Netrin requires the focal adhesion kinase and the Src family kinases to induce axon outgrowth and to attract axons. , Nature Neurosci. , 2004 , 7: 1222.
Ward M.E., Wu J.Y. and Rao Y. , Visualization of spatially and temporally regulated N-WASP activity during cytoskeletal reorganization in living cells. , Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. , 2004 , 101:970-974.
Zhu Y., Yu T., Zhang X-C, Nagasawa T., Wu J.Y., and Rao Y. , Role of the chemokine SDF-1 as the meningeal attractant for embryonic cerebellar neurons. , Nat Neurosci. , 2002 , 5: 719-720.
Wu J.Y., Feng L., Park H-T, Havlioglu N., Wen L., Tang H., Bacon K.B., Jiang Z., Zhang X-C, and Rao Y. , Slit, a molecule known to guide axon projection and neuronal migration, inhibits leukocyte chemotaxis induced by chemotactic factors. , Nature. , 2001 , 410: 948-952.
Wong K., Ren X-R, Huang Y-Z, Xie Y., Liu G., Saito H., Tang H., Wen L., Brady-Kalnay S.M., Mei L., Wu J.Y., Xiong W-C, and Rao Y. , Signal Transduction in Neuronal Migration: Roles of GTPase Activating Proteins and the Small GTPase Cdc42 in the Slit-Robo Pathway. , Cell. , 2001 , 107: 209-221.
Li H.S., Chen J.H., Wu W., Fagaly T., Yuan W.L., Zhou L., Dupuis S., Jiang Z., Nash W., Gick C., Ornitz D., Wu J.Y., and Rao Y. , Vertebrate Slit, a secreted ligand for the transmembrane protein Roundabout, is a repellent for olfactory bulb axons. , Cell. , 1999 , 96: 807-818.
Wu W., Wong K., Chen J.H., Jiang Z.H., Dupuis S., Wu J.Y., and Rao Y. , Directional guidance of neuronal migration in the olfactory system by the protein Slit. , Nature. , 1999 , 400: 331-336.
.Li H.S., Tierney C., Wen L., Wu J.Y. and Rao Y. , A single morphogenetic field gives rise to two retina primordia under the influence of the prechordal mesoderm. , Development. , 1997 , 124: 603-615.
.Rao Y., Jan L.Y., and Jan Y.N. , Similarity of the product of the Drosophila neurogenic gene big brain to transmembrane channel proteins. , Nature. , 1990 , 345: 163-167