This study validates the multi-target, multi-pathway action of Compound Kushen Injection by knocking out key genes in cell lines and observing changes in CKI efficacy.

Phytomedicine · Jul 16, 2026Peer-reviewedPharmacology & Toxicology

Molecular Mechanisms Associated With Amelioration Of Radiation Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis By Compound Kushen Extracts

Yan Zhou, Yuka Harata‐Lee, Zhipeng Qu, Hanyuan Shen, Yameng Zhang, Xiumei Duan, David L. Adelson

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of Compound Kushen Powder and Injection on radiation-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in rats, identifying shared and distinct molecular mechanisms.

bioRxiv · Jan 13, 2026 · PreprintMolecular Biology

AMHY and sex determination in egg-laying mammals

Linda Shearwin‐Whyatt, Jane C. Fenelon, Hongshi Yu, Andrew Thomas Major, Zhipeng Qu, Yang Zhou, Keith Edward Shearwin, James D. Galbraith, Alexander Stuart, David L. Adelson, Guojie Zhang, Michael J. Pyne, Stephen Douglas Johnston, Craig A. Smith, Marilyn B. Renfree, Frank Grützner

This study identifies AMHY as the primary male sex determination gene in monotremes by analyzing its expression and function during sexual differentiation.

Genome biology · May 27, 2025Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Loss of EED in the oocyte causes initial fetal growth restriction followed by placental hyperplasia and offspring overgrowth

Ruby Oberin, Sigrid Petautschnig, Ellen G. Jarred, Zhipeng Qu, Te‐Sha Tsai, Neil A. Youngson, Gabrielle Pulsoni, Thi T. Truong, Dilini Fernando, Heidi Bildsoe, Rheannon O Blücher, Maarten van den Buuse, David K. Gardner, Natalie A. Sims, David L. Adelson, Patrick S. Western

The paper shows that loss of EED in mouse oocytes initially restricts fetal growth but later leads to placental hyperplasia and offspring overgrowth.

eLife · May 7, 2024Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Pseudogenisation of NK3 Homeobox 2 (Nkx3.2) in Monotremes Provides Insight into Unique Gastric Anatomy and Physiology

Jackson Dann, Zhipeng Qu, Linda Shearwin-Whyatt, Rachel van der Ploeg, Frank Grützner

The paper identifies pseudogenisation of Nkx3.2 in monotremes and links it to unique gastric anatomy and physiology, suggesting gene loss influences phenotypic evolution.

bioRxiv · Mar 13, 2024 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology

The genome of medicinal plant Sophora flavescens has undergone significant expansion of both transposons and genes.

Zhipeng Qu, Wei Wang, David L. Adelson

This paper assembles the genome of Sophora flavescens, revealing significant transposon and gene expansion, and characterizes gene expression and bioactive compound biosynthesis pathways.

bioRxiv · Mar 20, 2023 · PreprintGenomics

Transient Polycomb activity represses developmental genes in growing oocytes.

Ellen G. Jarred, Zhipeng Qu, Te‐Sha Tsai, Ruby Oberin, Sigrid Petautschnig, Heidi Bildsoe, Stephen Pederson, Qing-Hua Zhang, Jessica M. Stringer, John Carroll, David K. Gardner, Maarten van den Buuse, Natalie A. Sims, William T. Gibson, David L. Adelson, Patrick S. Western

The paper identifies a transient period of PRC2 activity in mouse and human oocytes that represses developmental genes, with conservation in human germline but loss during early embryonic development.

Clinical Epigenetics · Dec 1, 2022Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Genome-Wide Analysis Of Repetitive Elements Associated With Gene Regulation

Lu Zeng, Stephen Pederson, Danfeng Cao, Zhipeng Qu, Zhiqiang Hu, David L. Adelson, Chaochun Wei

The paper analyzes the genome-wide impact of transposable elements on gene regulation, finding that Alu elements are associated with upregulated gene expression and contribute more to regulatory regions than ancient TEs.

bioRxiv · Jul 11, 2017 · PreprintGenomics