Molecular Genetics of Animal Behavior and Physiology; Circadian Rhythms; Posttranslational modifications of clock proteins; Protein Network Analysis

Research in my laboratory focuses on animal circadian clock and its control over organismal physiology. Besides being indispensable for the control of daily activities, such as the sleep-wake cycle, locomotor activity, hormone circulation and food intake, defects in circadian rhythms and clock genes have also been implicated in a wide range of human disorders, including chronic sleep orders, various forms of depression, metabolic syndromes, as well as susceptibility to cancer and drug and alcohol addiction. Using a combination of biochemical, molecular genetics, and proteomic approaches, our goal is to dissect the molecular network and cellular mechanisms that control the circadian oscillator in animals, and investigate how this molecular oscillator interact with the environment and cellular metabolism to drive rhythms of physiology and behavior.

Awards

NIH/NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship

NIH/NINDS K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award

Department and Center Affiliations

Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

UC Davis Genome Center

Professional Societies

The Society for Research on Biological Rhythms

Entomological Society of America

Genetics Society of America

CBS Grad Group Affiliations

Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Animal Behavior

Integrative Genetics and Genomics

Neuroscience

Specialties / Focus

Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

• Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Genetics
• Gene Regulation
• Neurobiology

Animal Behavior

• Physiology and Behavior

Integrative Genetics and Genomics

• Animal Genomics

Graduate Groups not Housed in CBS

Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology

Labs

Chiu Lab website

• Yao Cai (Graduate Student)

• Kyle Lewald (Graduate Student)

• Xian Hui (Nitrol) Liu (Graduate Student)

• Christine Tabuloc (Graduate Student)

• Antoine Abrieux (Postdoctoral Scientist)

• Christopher Ohoa (UG Research Assistant)

• Wenqi Song (UG Research Assistant)

• Michelle Lei (UG Research Assistant)

• Kory Chan (UG Research Assistant)

• Cindy Truong (UG Research Assistant)

• Dominik Aylard (UG Research Assistant)

Courses

ENT 293N Insect Genomics and Biotechnology (Fall)

ABI 50C Social Issues in Animal Biology (Spring)

ENT 102 Insect Physiology (Winter)