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Valerie W. Hu, Ph.D.

Professor
Ross 526
Phone: 202-994-8431
E-mail: bcmvwh@gwumc.edu

 

Research Interests

The wide diversity in the manifestation and severity of the symptoms of autism has posed a significant challenge to the identification of genes that are responsible for, or diagnostic of, autism spectrum disorders (ASD). By dividing the autistic population into subgroups that are similar in severity across over 60 unique behavioral symptoms that are queried on a commonly used diagnostic assessment instrument, we have been able to identify genes that define each subgroup on the basis of differential gene expression relative to nonautistic controls. These sets of subgroup-defined genes reveal biological deficits that may be specific targets for therapy for each of the respective subgroups. Furthermore, we have found that the differentially expressed genes can distinguish samples from autistic and non-autistic individuals with greater than 94% accuracy, demonstrating the potential for a diagnostic test based upon these biomarker genes.

Another interest of the laboratory is higher order regulation of gene expression in ASD. Our earlier observation of differential gene expression between monozygotic twins discordant in diagnosis or severity of autism suggested the role of epigenetic factors in autism. We are therefore also studying the involvement of DNA methylation and microRNA expression in the regulation of gene expression in ASD. Our preliminary results show evidence of global methylation changes as well as significant differences in microRNA expression which can be at least partially correlated with the observed changes in gene expression. We are also developing cellular models to explore how these molecular changes impact neuronal survival, differentiation, and function and how environmental factors affect these processes.

Please visit the "Model Me Kids Website" for a brief documentary on the autism research in Dr. Hu's laboratory.

For more information regarding Dr. Hu's invited talk at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, please click here.

Selected Publications