Rate My Professor Rong Lu

The Lu Lab investigates stem cell heterogeneity, regulation, and coordination from a single-cell perspective, primarily using mouse HSCs to model blood production. Employing integrated approaches from molecular biology, cell biology, systems biology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics, her research elucidates clonal dynamics, lineage commitment pathways, gene expression-blood cell production links, and age-associated immune regeneration imbalances. Seminal publications include “Dissecting self-renewal in stem cells with RNA interference” (Nature, 2006), “Tracking single hematopoietic stem cells in vivo using high-throughput sequencing in conjunction with viral genetic barcoding” (Nature Biotechnology, 2011), “Clonal tracking of rhesus macaque hematopoiesis highlights a distinct lineage origin for natural killer cells” (Cell Stem Cell, 2014), “Clonal-level lineage commitment pathways of hematopoietic stem cells in vivo” (PNAS, 2019), and “Quantitative association between gene expression and blood cell production of individual hematopoietic stem cells in mice” (Science Advances, 2024). These works have advanced insights into leukemia origins, HSC aging, and therapeutic targets. Lu has received the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award (2024, with Michael B. Elowitz), NIH Emerging Investigator Award (2020, $6.6 million R35), and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar award, underscoring her impact on regenerative medicine.