Sep 13, 2011, Jing Zhang, as a graduate student in the laboratory of Prof. Ming Yin, had a research paper published on PLoS ONE, with the title of “Identification of Hub Genes Related to the Recovery Phase of Irradiation Injury by Microarray and Integrated Gene Network Analysis” (http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0024680). This research, based on high-dose irradiated animal model, meanwhile, combined with microarray and bioinformatics analysis, indicates that several hub genes, key biological processes and signaling pathways function significantly in the recovery phase of irradiation injury. Ionizing radiation (IR) is ubiquitous in our environment and has many beneficial medical and industrial applications. Typical of medical applications refers to radiotherapy. However, IR also carries potential hazards for human beings, on which people raised attention by the event of nuclear leak in 3.11 Japan earthquake. In group to unravel molecular mechanisms in the recovery stage after high-dose IR, Yin’s lab made a new try to combine methods of molecular pharmacology and system bioinformatics. What they have achieved have the potential to serve as basic information for genetic association studies in radiation biology area. Moreover, that also can act as an initial step for discovering new anti-radiation drugs and systematical diagnostic biomarkers. 

(Ming Yin & Jing Zhang)