Bio

Gene activity is not only affected by DNA sequence, but also by mechanisms that affect gene expression and cellular phenotypes without altering DNA sequence (i.e. epigenetics and epigenomes). Cellular processes are regulated by a complex interplay among different layers of epigenetic information, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positions, and expression of noncoding RNA. Epigenome forms an important layer of regulatory machinery for tuning genome-wide gene activities. Combining epigenomics with other omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics etc.) yields system-level insights into complex developmental and disease processes that involve broad coordination across many regulatory layers.

A lot of diseases, ranging from psychiatric disorders to cancers, are known to be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic marks remain largely plastic during the development and lifespan of a cell and potentially allow dynamic mediation of both genetic and environmental factors. In spite of this long-held speculation, there have been few systematic epigenomic and multiomic studies on specific diseases and the systems biology dynamics involved in most diseases remain unclear. Deciphering epigenomic and multiomic mechanisms involved in diseases is key for improved mechanistic understanding and rational drug design.

Research in Chang Lu’s lab can be roughly divided into three areas: 1) Development of epigenomic and multiomic technologies for low-input, single-cell and spatial profiling of tissue samples. 2) Studies of epigenomic and multiomic dynamics in brain to understand addiction and psychiatric disorders. 3) Cancer precision medicine by profiling liquid biopsies and tissue samples.

Lu received his PhD in chemical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and conducted postdoctoral work in applied physics at Cornell. He served on faculty of Purdue University and Virginia Tech prior to his current appointment. Lu pioneered the development of microfluidic tools for low-input, single-cell, and spatial epigenomic assays. Using these tools and multiomic bioinformatic analysis, his lab discovered molecular drivers and features behind diseases ranging from schizophrenia, addiction, to cancer. His other works include development of flow-through electroporation for harnessing microscale fluid mechanics to enhance gene delivery and various flow cytometry tools for single-cell studies. Lu is a fellow of AIMBE and AAAS.

Publications

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Area(s) of Expertise

Genomic biotechnology
Microfluidics
Neuroscience and engineering
Cancer precision medicine