Miao Zhao

Researcher at Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology; Research programme: Neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration; Research group Fredrik Swartling

E-mail:: miao.zhao@igp.uu.se
Visiting address:: Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20
751 85 Uppsala
Postal address:: Rudbecklaboratoriet
751 85 UPPSALA

Download contact information for Miao Zhao at Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology; Research programme: Neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration; Research group Fredrik Swartling

Keywords

Photoreceptor tumors: Medulloblastoma; Pineoblastoma; Retinoblastoma
Mouse models
Photoreceptor gene therapy

Research

Photoreceptor Lineage and Cell Identity in CNS Tumors

Medulloblastoma, Pineoblastoma, and Retinoblastoma are malignant pediatric tumors arising in distinct regions of the central nervous system, yet they share a common feature: elevated expression of a photoreceptor-like transcriptional program.

We study how cell-of-origin and oncogenic mutations cooperate to drive the emergence of this photoreceptor-like identity, and how this lineage state influences tumor initiation and can be exploited for therapeutic intervention.

Ongoing research projects:

Project 1: Tumor initiation and cell-of-origin

We investigate how the cell of origin influences the response to oncogenic mutations to drive the formation of photoreceptor-like tumors, and how these events interact with developmental context to initiate tumorigenesis.

Project 2: Mechanisms of lineage identity

We study how oncogenic events establish and maintain photoreceptor-like transcriptional programs, and whether this lineage state represents a functional dependency required for tumor growth.

Project 3: Modeling and therapeutic targeting

We develop advanced experimental models, including transgenic mouse models, patient-derived xenografts, and organoids, to explore whether photoreceptor identity can be targeted as a therapeutic vulnerability.

RESEARCH FUNDING

SciLifeLab (2019 - 2021)
Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation: Post-doc fellowship (2021-2023)
Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation: Childhood cancer research position (2025-2029)
Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation: Project grant (2026-2029)
NIH (2024-2029)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

2018: Ph.D. in Cancer Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.