Faculty

Hassane Zarour's research focuses on identifying MHC class II tumor epitopes from cancer-germline antigens in melanomas, analyzing CD4+ T cell responses, and studying immune responses in melanoma patients receiving peptide- and protein-based vaccines with CpG oligonucleotides.

We are employing a quantitative approach using microfluidics, systems biology modeling and in vivo systems to investigate how microenvironmental signals (paracrine, hypoxia, mechanical forces and ECM composition) impact cell growth, migration and therapeutic response in the context of cancer (ovarian and breast) and remodeling tissues

The phase transition process of liquid-liquid de-mixing organizes proteins and RNAs into liquid compartments in cells. We study how this process promotes cellular functions in healthy cells and how mis-regulation of it leads to cancer.

Our lab is an interdisciplinary research group that combines diverse bioengineering and chemical approaches to develop novel techniques for interrogation of biological and pathological processes in cells and tissues.

Dr. Zhu’s lab is currently investigating the regulation as well as the physiological/pathological functions of the 12h-clock, taking a combination of computational, biochemical, genetic, cellular, imaging and genomic approaches.