J.  Julius  Zhu
Degree(s): PhD
Graduate School: University of Wisconsin Medical School
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor, Pharmacology
Research Interests:
Neural circuit mechanisms of behavior and diseases
Website: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pharmacology/faculty/zhu_lab.cfm
Email Address: jjzhu@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs
    • 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 rapid recombinant DNA delivery and replacement, multiple whole-cell recordings, two photon laser scanning and immunoelectron microscopy. These technologies allow us to decipher the molecular and cellular regulations (e.g., nanoscale Ras/MAPK signaling) of synapses in neural circuits, as well as the organization and functions (e.g., salience selection) of neural circuits. Genetic defects of many signaling molecules are linked to a number of cognitive disorders, e.g., Akt/PKB and calcineurin with schizophrenia, BRaf with cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, Brag/IQSec with nonsyndromic X-linked mental retardation, CaMKII with Angelman syndrome, H-Ras with Costello syndrome, p38MAPK 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. Altered interneuronal function is a common mechanism contributing to various neurological, mental and psychiatric disorders, including autisms, epilepsy, depression, Huntington’s disease, neurofibromatosis, schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome and trauma. Therefore, 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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