1.大脑神经发育过程中的信号转导机制利用本课题组在信号转导通路方面的优势，结合基因操作小鼠模式动物，争取在阐明不同的信号通路在大脑发育中的作用，以及重要疾病发生的分子机制方面有所突破。相关研究将为疾病的预防和治疗提供理论依据，同时为个体正常发育的分子机理提供新见解。

2.利用模式动物研究人类重大神经精神疾病 

通过建立和利用基因操作小鼠模型，研究小颅畸形、精神分裂症、自闭症和神经退行性疾病的发病机制。

Chang YF, Jiang YS, et al., Xu Z* (2020) Dissecting of the Gene Networks Affected by Zika Virus Infection in a Mouse Microcephaly Model. Genomics Proteomics & Bioinformatics  (in press).

Xu D, Li C, Qin CF, Xu Z*(2019) Update on the Animal Models and Underlying Mechanisms for ZIKV-Induced Microcephaly. Annu. Rev. Virol.  doi.org/10.1146/annurev-virology-092818-015740

Wang S. et al., Xu Z*. (2018). Sh3rf2 haploinsufficiency leads to unilateral neuronal development deficits and autistic-like behaviors in mice.  Cell Reports DOI:10.1016/j.celrep.2018.11.044

Zhang et al., Xu Z* (2018) cTAGE5/MEA6 Controls Brain Development through Regulation of Neuronal Trafficking of Cellular Components. PNAS doi/10.1073/pnas.1804083115 (Direct Submission Plus)

Xu D.,  Zhu Y., and Xu Z*. (2018) MEKK3 Coordinates with FBW7 to Regulate WDR62 Stability and Neurogenesis. PLoS Biology 19;16(12):e2006613. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006613

Li C et al., Xu Z*, Zhang L*. (2018). A single injection of human neutralizing antibody protects against Zika virus infection and microcephaly in the developing fetuses. Cell Reports DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.005

Li C et al., Xu Z*. (2018). Disruption of Glial Cell Development by Zika Virus Contributes to Severe Microcephalic Newborn Mice. Cell Discovery DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0042-1.

Yuan L,.. Xu Z*, Qin CF*. (2017). A single mutation in the prM protein of Zika virus contributes to fetal microcephaly. SCIENCE   eaam7120, DOI: 10.1126/science.aam7120

Fan et al., Xu Z* (2017) Mea6 Deletion in Pancreatic β Cells Impairs Proinsulin Trafficking and Insulin Biogenesis in Mice. J Cell Biology DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201705027

Wang S., Hong S... Xu Z*. (2017) Transfer of Convalescent Serum to Pregnant Mice Prevents Zika Virus Infection and Microcephaly in Offspring. Cell Research  doi:10.1038/cr.2016.144

Deng et al., Xu Z*, Qin CF*. (2017) Intranasal infection and contact transmission of Zika virus in guinea pigs. Nat. Commun. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01923-4

Li C, Deng Y-Q, Wang S...Xu Z*, Qin C*, Cheng G*. (2017) 25-Hydroxycholesterol protects host against ZIKV infection and its associated microcephaly. Immunity 46(3):446-456. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2017.02.012

Oh Y et al., Xu Z*, Jin P*, Song H., Ming G-L*, Lee G*. (2017) Zika virus directly infects human peripheral neurons and induces cell death. Nature Neuroscience 20(9):1209-1212. doi: 10.1038/nn.4612.

Zhang et al., Xu Z* (2017) American Strain of Zika Virus Causes More Severe Microcephaly than an Old Asian Strain in neonatal Mice. EBioMedicine doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.10.019.

Li C, Zhu X,. .. Xu Z*, Cheng G*. (2017) Chloroquine, a FDA-approved Drug, Prevents ZIKV Infection and its Associated Congenital Microcephaly in Mice. EBioMedicine doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.09.034

Li C, Xu D, ..Xu Z*. (2016) Zika Virus Disrupts Neural Progenitor Development and Leads to Microcephaly in Mice. Cell Stem Celldoi:10.1016/j.stem.2016.04.017

Zhang HS…. Xu Z*. (2016) Brain-specific Crmp2 deletion leads to neuronal development deficits and behavioural impairments in mice. Nat. Commun. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11773.

Wang Y, Liu L,.. Xu Z*. (2016) Mea6 controls VLDL transport through the coordinated regulation of COPII assembly. Cell Research  doi:10.1038/cr.2016.75

Zhang L, Zhang F,...Xu Z*. (2016)  The B cell receptor BR3 modulates cellular branching via Rac1 during neuronal migration. J Mol Cell Biol. pii: mjw034

Zhang F. Yu JW, Yang T. Xu D,.Xia YH., Xu Z*. (2016) A Novel c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) Signaling Complex Involved in Neuronal Migration during Brain Development. J BiolChempii: jbc.M116.716811. (Cover story, “Paper of the week” with editorial comments)

Xu D. and Xu Z*. (2016) Driving WDR62 to the Pole. Cell Cycle DOI:10.1080/15384101. 2016.1154374

Li P… Xu Z*, and Zhu Z*. (2015) Epigenetic silencing of microRNA-149 in cancer associated fibroblasts mediates prostaglandin E2/interleukin-6 signaling in the tumor microenvironment Cell Research 25(5):588-603

Zhang F. Xu D,. Sun YM., Xu Z*. (2014)  Epigenetic regulation of Atrophin1 by lysine-specific demethylase is required for cortical progenitor maintenance. Nat. Commun,5:5815. doi: 10.1038/ncomms6815

Xu D. Zhang F, Wang Y, Sun Y, Xu Z*. (2014) Microcephaly Associated Protein WDR62 Regulates Neurogenesis through JNK1 in the developmental cortex. Cell Reports 6(1):104-16

Yu J, Zhang F, Zhang Y, Fan M and Xu Z* (2014) TAK1 is activated by TGF-β signaling and controls axonal growth during brain development. J Mol Cell Biol. 6(4):349-51.

Yang T., Sun YM…Xu Z* (2012) POSH Localizes Activated Rac1 to Control the Formation of Cytoplasmic Dilation of the Leading Process and Neuronal Migration. Cell Reports 2(3):640-51 (Article)