Guocai completed his PhD in pathobiology with training at the National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), an HHMI-style research institute in China, where he co-discovered NTCP as an essential receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) — a breakthrough recognized by the 2021 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize and the 2022 Future Science Prize in Life Sciences. He then moved to the Scripps Research Institute as a postdoc (2013-2019) and developed a series of novel RNA switches, including a self-cleavage-based RNA switch capable of regulating gene expression of AAV-delivered therapeutics with a wide regulatory range in mice. In late 2019, Guocai established his independent laboratory at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School in Shenzhen, China. In the summer of 2022, he moved his lab to the RNA Therapeutics Institute and Horae Gene Therapy Center (now Department of Genetic & Cellular Medicine) at the UMass Chan Medical School. Zhong Lab's research has been centered on RNA switch engineering and the development of regulatable gene therapies.

RNA switches, structured small noncoding RNA domains that control gene expression independent of any protein factors, are a class of very useful tools for exogenous, precise control of gene expression. They not only can be used in genetics studies for spatial & temporal manipulation of endogenous genes, but also can be used in vectored gene therapies for temporal or dosing control of therapeutic transgene expression, or in cell-based therapies for precise programming of engineered-cell functions. RNA switch thus represents a very promising platform technology that has the potential to enable future gene and cell therapy application to diverse diseases that can't be safely or effectively treated with the current gene or cell therapy technologies (learn more here). 

Our group creates useful RNA switches and develops RNA switch-regulated gene therapies for diverse disease applications. A body of our prior studies have moved artificial RNA switches from working efficiently in vitro to now functioning with wide dynamic ranges in animals. These studies also established a strong proof of concept that RNA switches could enable safer and more effective applications and expand the use of in vivo gene therapies to broader disease indications.

We are now very interested in the following three directions:

1. Tool development: engineering parts (novel RNA switches, other RNA-based tools, therapeutic payloads) for the development of programmable gene therapies.
   
   
2. Mechanistic studies: investigating how the in-house developed RNA switches work in mammalian cells.
   
   
3. Gene therapy applications: developing programmable gene and cell-based therapies for fatal genetic diseases (e.g. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, generalized lipodystrophy), metabolic disorders (e.g. NASH, diabetes, obesity), infectious diseases (e.g. HIV infection,COVID-19), and cancers.

Rotation projects are available in the three areas of our lab's current research interests.

Postdoctoral Positions Available

We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a strong background in cellular and molecular biology, molecular physiology, RNA biology/biochemistry, or related fields in biological and biomedical sciences. Prior research experience in metabolic disease molecular physiology/therapy or cancer immunotherapies is highly desirable.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV listing three references by email to Guocai Zhong at Guocai.Zhong@umassmed.edu.