Lipid biology in cognition and brain aging
The overarching goal of Xiaoai Zhao's research program is to uncover functional regulation of lipids, with the objective of delaying age-related cognitive decline in the brain. Lipids are fundamental cellular constituents that support the structural, metabolic, and electrical activities of the brain. Aberrant accumulation or depletion of lipids is implicated in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. However, insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of lipid regulation on brain function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level remain limited. Using neural stem cells as a model, her previous work demonstrated that brain aging is accompanied by profound lipid remodeling. Furthermore, Zhao's research provided the first evidence that lipids directly regulate the cellular function of neural stem cells during aging. The Zhao lab leverages state-of-the-art mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics, functional study by genetic and chemical approaches using cell and animal models, as well as organismal behavioral assessment. Together, her research aims to uncover novel lipid targets and lipid pathways that promote cognitive resilience and reverse age-related cognitive decline with aging and age-related neurodegeneration.
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Biography
Zhao completed her medical training in Nanjing, China, before moving across the Pacific. Her interest in aging research started during her graduate school years at Brown University, where she studied molecular pathways of organismal aging in mouse models of longevity. Zhao then completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University, uncovering the role of complex membrane lipids in driving neural stem cell aging. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling with her partner, great food, and photography.