Xue Zhao is originally from Beijing, China. She
earned her B.S. degree in Biology and her first Master of Science
degree in Plant Physiology from Capital Normal University in Beijing,
China. Before she earned her second Master of Science degree in Plant
Science from the University of Idaho in 2002, she worked in the lab of
Molecular biology and Bio-techniques in the Institute of Zoology,
Chinese Academy of Science. Xue joined the Magnusson lab in the Fall
of 2002. She brought with her expertise in Western and Southern blots, ELISAs, PCR, gel electrophoresis and Imaging, RAPD (Random
amplification of polymorphic DNA), AFLP DNA fingerprinting, protein
and DNA sequencing, HPLC, NMR, and Mass Spectrometry.† She has since
added spatial memory testing, receptor autoradiography, and in situ
hybridization to her list of job skills. Xue is very meticulous and
careful in her research. She is also a top-notch Ping-Pong player,
although we've yet to see her in action. Xue is now our resident
expert in receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization. She has
been examining receptor binding, mRNA densities and protein expression
for the NMDA receptor in brains from mice that have been characterized
for their spatial learning abilities. She is currently working on
adapting our Western blot protocols for use with the new Li-Cor
Odyssey Imaging System. She is also performing competitive binding
assays for AMPA receptor ligands that are being developed by Nick
Natale's lab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of
Idaho.
Honors
1992 Prize of Outstanding Students of Beijing, First Place
1993 National Outstanding Students Prize, Capital Normal University
1993 First place award to enter graduate program at Capital Normal
University with waiver of admissions test
1996 Excellent Graduate Student, Capital Normal University
Publications
B. Scruggs, X. Zhao, R. Hammersmark, K.R. Magnusson (2003)
Performance in a two day reference memory task shows age-related
changes and relationships to NMDA receptor subunit protein expression
in synaptosomes.† Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 29: 633.3.
Zhao, X. (1996) Purification of plasma membrane iron-stressed
proteins from Maize roots by two dimensional electrophoresis. Master's
Thesis. Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.
Zhao, X. (2002) Bioactive metabolites for Basidiomycetes. Submitted
Master's Thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. |
