Assistant Professor
Member, Cancer Epigenetics Institute
The Luo laboratory studies the mechanisms controlling hematopoietic stem cell fate choices in normal and diseases, with an overarching goal to develop novel therapeutic strategies for hematological diseases associated with stem cell defects. We are specifically interested in understanding how RNA regulators, including RNA modification and other novel disease-relevant RNA binding proteins, impact these processes. We use multi-disciplinary approaches, including mouse genetics, CRISPR genome engineering, multicolor flow cytometry, confocal microscope, and single-cell profiling technologies to tackle the following fundamental questions.
Learn more about the Luo Laboratory at http://www.luolab-fccc.com/
Blood stem cell fate decisions
What drives stem cell fate control in normal versus malignant contexts?
What intrinsic and extrinsic factors determine stem cell fates?
Can these regulators be leveraged for therapeutics against diseases?
Mechanistic role of RNA regulators
How does post-transcriptional regulation impact stem cell fates in normal and disease?
The molecular mechanisms by which RNA regulators influence stem cell fate decisions?
• 3/2018-1/2025 Postdoc fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
• 9/2011-5/2017 Ph.D., Metabolic Biology, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA,
• 9/2006-7/2011 B.Med., Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Beijing, China
Luo Lab - We study RNA regulators in stem cell fate regulations and Cancer
We employ state-of-the-art technologies and collaborations with leading scientist and clinicians to address the following areas:
(1) Molecular basis of stem cell fate choices.
(2) Identification and characterization of RNA regulatory mechanisms in normal physiology and diseases.
(3) Molecular basis of cancer-associated RNA modifications.
The Luo laboratory studies the mechanisms controlling hematopoietic stem cell fate choices in normal and diseases, with an overarching goal to develop novel therapeutic strategies for hematological diseases associated with stem cell defects. We are specifically interested in understanding how RNA regulators, including RNA modification and other novel disease-relevant RNA binding proteins, impact these processes. We use multi-disciplinary approaches, including mouse genetics, CRISPR genome engineering, multicolor flow cytometry, confocal microscope, and single-cell profiling technologies to tackle the following fundamental questions.
Blood stem cell fate decisions
What drives stem cell fate control in normal versus malignant contexts?
What intrinsic and extrinsic factors determine stem cell fates?
Can these regulators be leveraged for therapeutics against diseases?
Mechanistic role of RNA regulators
How does post-transcriptional regulation impact stem cell fates in normal and disease?
The molecular mechanisms by which RNA regulators influence stem cell fate decisions?
1. Luo, H.*, Cortés-López, M.*, Tam, C.L., Xiao, M., Wakiro I., Chu K.L., Pierson, A., Chan, M., Chang, K., Yang, X., Han G., Ahn E.E., Morris Q.D., Landau D.A., Kharas, M.G. (* equal contribution, co-first author) SON is an Essential m6A Target for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Fate. Cell Stem Cell, Volume 30, Issue 12, 7 December 2023, Pages 1658-1673.e10
2. Chavez, F.H., Luo, H., Cifani, P., Pine, A., Chu, K.L., Joshi, S., Barin, E., Schurer, A., Chan, M., Chang, K., Han, G.Y., Pierson, A.J., Xiao, M., Yang, X., Kuehm, L.M., Hong, Y., Nguyen, D., Chiosis, G., Kentsis, A., Leslie, C., Vu, L.P., Kharas, M.G. RNA binding protein SYNCRIP maintains proteostasis and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Nature Communications 2023, 14, 2290
3. Kotini, A.G., Carcamo, S., Rodriguez, N.C., Olszewska, M., Wang, T., Demircioglu, D., Chang, C.J., Bernard, E., Chao, M.P., Majeti, R., Luo, H., Kharas, M.G., Hasson, D., Papapetrou, E.P. Patient-Derived iPSCs Faithfully Represent the Genetic Diversity and Cellular Architecture of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Cancer Discovery. 2023, 4 (4): 318–335.
4. Cheng, Y., Xie, W., Pickering, B.F., Chu, K.L., Savino, A.M., Yang, X., Luo, H., Nguyen, D., Mo, S., Barin, E., Velleca, A., Rohwetter, T.M., Patel, D.J., Jeffrey, S.R., Kharas, M.G. N6-Methyladenosine on mRNA facilitates a phase-separated nuclear body that suppresses myeloid leukemic differentiation. Cancer Cell. 2021, Volume 39, Issue 7, pages 958-972 e8
5. He, M.*, Chiang, H.H.*, Luo, H.*, Zheng, Z.*, Ohkubo, R., Susanto, A., Chen, D. (* equal contribution, co-first author) An Acetylation switch of the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates aging- and overnutrition associated chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Cell Metabolism, 2020, Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 580-591.E5
6. Wesely, J., Kotini, A.G.#, Izzo, F.#, Luo, H.#, Yuan, H.#, Sun, J., Georgomanoli, M., Zviran, A., Deslauriers, A.G., Dusaj, N., Nimer, S.D., Leslie, C., Landau, D.A., Kharas, M.G.*, Papapetrou, E.P.* (# equal contribution, co-second author) Acute Myeloid Leukemia iPSCs reveal a role for RUNX1 in the maintenance of human Leukemia Stem Cells. Cell Reports, 2020, 31(9):107688.
7. Cheng, Y.*, Luo, H.*, Izzo, F.*, Pickering, B.F., Nguyen, D., Myers, R., Schurer, A., Gourkanti, S., Bruning, J.C., Vu, L.P., Jeffrey, S.R., Landau, D.A., Kharas, M.G. (* equal contribution, co-first author) m6A RNA Methylation Maintains Hematopoietic Stem Cell Identity and Symmetric Commitment. Cell Reports, 2019, Volume 28, Issue 7, pages 1703-1716 e6
8. Luo, H., Mu, W.C., Karki, R., Chiang, H.H., Mohrin, M., Shin, J., Ohkubo, R., Ito, K., Kanneganti, T.D., Chen, D. Mitochondrial stress-initiated aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates hematopoietic stem cell aging. Cell Reports 2019, Volume 26, Issue 4, pages 945-954 e4
9.Mohrin, M., Widjaja, A., Liu, Y., Luo, H., Chen, D. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response is activated upon hematopoietic stem cell exit from quiescence. Aging Cell 2018, 17 (3), e12756
10. Mohrin, M.*, Shin, J.*, Liu, Y.*, Brown, K.*, Luo, H., Xi, Y., Haynes, C.M., Chen, D. A mitochondrial UPR-mediated metabolic checkpoint regulates hematopoietic stem cell aging. Science. 2015, Volume 347, No. 6228, pages 1374-1377
11.Shin, J.*, He, M.*, Liu, Y.*, Paredes, S.*, Villanova, L., Brown, K., Qiu, X., Nabavi, N., Mohrin, M., Wojnoonski, K., Li, P., Cheng, H.W., Murphy, A.J., Valenzuela, D.M., Luo, H., Kapahi, P., Krauss, R., Mostoslavsky, R., Yancopoulos, G.D., Alt, F.W., Chua, K.F., Chen, D. SIRT7 represses Myc activity to suppress ER stress and prevent fatty liver disease. Cell Reports 2013, Volume 5, Issue 3, pages 654-665
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW OPENINGS
The Hanzhi Luo Laboratory at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia is hiring highly ambitious and self-motivated Postdoctoral Fellows in Molecular Hematology. Applicants with a PhD and/or MD degree and the ability to work in a competitive environment should apply. Expertise in hematopoietic stem cell, murine hematopoietic leukemia, molecular biology, computation biology and RNA-related assays is preferred. The Luo laboratory opens door in Jan 2025, and the candidate is expected to join in 2025.
Postdoc candidates receive competitive pay and benefits, including subsidized daycare, health and dental insurance.
The Luo laboratory uses state-of-the-art technologies and collaborations with leading scientist and clinicians to address the following areas:
Dr. Hanzhi Luo received PhD in UC Berkeley studying stem cell aging and metabolic biology. She then performed postdoctoral training in the Michael Kharas lab in MSKCC, New York where she studied RNA binding proteins and their role in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Her work: i) reveal for the first time that m6A controls HSC fate; ii) discover nuclear speckle protein SON as a critical m6A target and HSC fate regulator; iii) establish how m6A modification controls inflammatory programs that influence cell fate. Her work is published in top journals, including Cell Stem Cell, Cell Reports, Cell Metabolism, etc. She is a recipient of the NYSTEM postdoctoral award, a NIH/NIDDK K99/R00 award, and ASH abstract achievement award.
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN OPENINGS
The Hanzhi Luo Laboratory at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia is hiring Research Technicians. The Luo laboratory opens door in Jan 2025, and the candidate is expected to join around then.
You are:
• An effective communicator, skilled in tailoring messages to different audiences.
• Proficient in planning and prioritizing tasks with attention to detail.
• Intellectually curious, driven, and passionate about tackling new challenges.
You will:
• Prepare and maintain lab equipment, solutions, and supplies.
• Conduct cell cultures, and lab experiments (e.g., western blotting, qPCR).
• Operate lab equipment and handle animals, including genotyping, injections, tissue collections.
• Assist with ongoing research and perform data analysis, recording, and reporting.
• Compile study statistics and manage lab equipment and material purchases.
You need:
• Bachelor’s degree with a STEM major (Biology, Chemistry)
• Relevant laboratory experience
Learn more about the research at Luo laboratory:http://www.luolab-fccc.com/
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for either position, email (1) CV; (2) cover letter that states research interests and goals; (3) the name of at least three references; to [email protected]
Learn more about the research at Luo Laboratory:
The Luo laboratory is a member of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute (CEI) at Fox Chase. CEI offers trainees exceptional access to global epigenetics leaders and industry experts. CEI hosts an annual symposium featuring discussions on the latest advances, poster sessions, and travel awards. Trainees also present their research to colleagues within CEI and across FCCC. The institute is committed to enhancing each trainee’s networking opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge science, supporting optimal career development that is suited for you.
About Fox Chase Cancer Center
As one of the four original cancer centers to receive comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center has been at the forefront of cancer research for almost 90 years. We are home to excellent research facilities, top clinicians and scientists, and outstanding patient care. Our singular focus on cancer, which couples discovery science with state of the art clinical care and population health, remains the foundation of our work.
Learn more about Fox Chase Research Training Programs.
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