Established and executed high-throughput genetic and chemical screens for identification circadian clock modifiers (PLoS Genetics, 2014).Established metabolically relevant cell-autonomous clock reporter cell lines to screen additional circadian clock genes (JoVE, 2012).Identified and characterized “Chrono” as a one of the circadian clock gene (PLoS Biology, 2014)Implemented the shRNA screening for clock modifiers using the circadian clock reporter cell lines and identified 34 clock modifiers. It resulted in collaborative studies and high impact follow up publications.Biochemical and molecular characterized 34 clock modifiers in circadian physiology (Nature Structural Molecular Biology, 2015). Identified 12 chemical targets of clock modifiers using LOPAC chemical library screening. It resulted in collaborative studies and high impact follow up publications.Successfully knockout (KO) a list of selected clock modifiers using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in MMH-D3 circadian reporter cell line to study clock functions. It resulted in collaborative studies and high impact follow up publications.Constructed and cloned many AAV and lentiviral FLAG tagged protein coding genes. Overexpressed recombinant proteins and characterized clock phenotypes and downstream signaling effects in mammalian cell lines. The reagent has been used by my lab members and our collaborators.Drafted protocols for the generation of luciferase reporter cell lines, and high-throughput formats to screen for clock modifiers. Our lab members and collaborators has been using the protocol for their research. Managed a team of 10 research associates and their research efforts.Achievements: Published four research articles; patent application submission; my data contributed to the award of over $5 million in a NIH grant.

Identified similar input components of circadian system between diurnal Nile grass rat and nocturnal rodents. It resulted two main publications (Neuroscience, 2009; Brain Behav. Evol., 2010)Identified similar clock protein expression profiles between diurnal Nile grass rat and nocturnal rodents in central circadian pacemaker of the SCN. It resulted two publications (Brain Research 2006; Neuroscience, 2010)Discovered differences of clock protein expression profiles in extra-SCN oscillators of brain between diurnal and nocturnal mammals. It resulted three publications (Neuroscience Letters, 2008; 2010; Neuroscience, 2010).Studied shift work problems. Discovered desynchronized clock affect temporal organization of many important brain functions, which leads to the multiple pathologies associated with human shift work.(Neuroscience, 2010).Conducted research on neurodegenerative diseases such as Glaucoma. Characterized the role of BDNF in glaucomatous disease using cat model system. it resulted one publication (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009)Trained and supervised six undergraduate students and three technicians on their research efforts.Achievements: Written and published 13 research articles. Techniques used: Small rodent handling and survival surgery (e.g., cannulation, gonadectomy, and optic nerve crush); tract tracing method: neuronal anterograde and retrograde (e.g., BDA and choleratoxin); perfusion of lab rats and grass rats and collections of brain and peripheral tissues to measure clock gene/protein expression; Immunohistology (e.g., single, double, triple labeling) and microscopy (e.g., light and fluorescent imaging); In-situ hybridization in fresh and frozen brain tissue; neuroanatomy; monitoring of gross locomotor activity and body temperature of small rodents via emitters; developed glaucoma model in cats; perfusion of cat and collection of brain and eye tissues to study the functions of the visual cortex and the ganglian cell physiology