Professor, Chief Doctor

My major research interests are primarily in the area of biomarkers of cancers and ARDS, focusing on circulating genetic/epigenetic/ncRNA markers and their molecular mechanisms in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. I study the potential interactions among genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors on cancer risk, as well as on treatment outcomes for cancers, especially lung and esophageal cancers. As PI or co-investigator on several grants funded by government agencies, I am currently leading a group to investigate how circulating (including exosomal) ncRNAs (lncRNAs, miRNAs, tRNA-derived fragments) are involved in the pathogenesis of cancers and diabetic retinopathy, and  how circulating ncRNA profiles can serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers of diseases. I have authored or co-authored over 60 papers in the peer-reviewed literature.

Research Interests:

Non-coding RNAs in cancers

Research Projects:

NSFC (China) Project (Grant No: 41977372)

Rihong Zhai, PI;                   

Study on the mechanisms of PM2.5-mediated dysregulation of tRNA modifying gene FTSJ1 and Am modification in non-small cell lung cancer

01/01/2020 to 12/30/2023; 720,000RMB

Shenzhen Science and Innovation Commission Project (Grant No. JCYJ20180305163428950)

Rihong Zhai PI;

Study on the molecular mechanisms of tRNA-derived fragment AS-Tdr-010968 in NSCLC.

09/01/2019-.0/01/2021; 500,000RMB

Selected Peer-reviewed Publications:

1.  Liang Z, Gao KP, Wang YX, Liu ZC, Tian L, Yang XZ, Ding JY, Wu WT, Yang WH, Li YL, Zhang ZB, Zhai RH*. RNA sequencing identified specific circulating miRNA biomarkers for early detection of diabetes retinopathy. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2018，315(3):E374-E385.

2. Zhai R*, Wei Y, Su L, Liu G, Kulke MH, Wain JC, Christiani DC*. Whole-miRNome profiling identifies prognostic serum miRNAs in esophageal adenocarcinoma: the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection status. Carcinogenesis. 2015; 36(1):87-93.

3. Zhai R, Yu X, Shafer A, Wain JC, Christiani DC. The Impact of Coexisting COPD on Survival of Patients With Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Surgical Resection.Chest. 2014; 145(2):346-53.

4. Zhai R*, Zhao Y, Liu G, Ter-Minassian M, Wu IC, Wang Z, Su L, Asomaning K, Chen F, Kulke MH, Lin X, Heist RS, Wain JC, Christiani DC*. Interactions between environmental factors and polymorphisms in angiogenesis pathway genes in esophageal adenocarcinoma risk: a case-only study. Cancer. 2012; 118(3):804-11.

5. Zhai R*, Chen F, Liu G, Su L, Kulke MH, Asomaning K, Lin X, Heist RS, Nishioka NS, Sheu CC, Wain JC, Christiani DC*. Interactions among genetic variants in apoptosis pathway genes, reflux symptoms, body mass index, and smoking indicate two distinct etiologic patterns of esophageal denocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2010; 28(14):2445-51.