Bohan Zhao


I am an AHA postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Li Ye at Scripps Research/HHMI. My research focuses on how adipose tissue communicates with the brain to regulate metabolism and behavior, with a particular emphasis on the role of adipose sensation in behavioral and mental disorders. Using in vivo whole-brain activity recording, viral-genetic tracing, and whole-brain clearing, I aim to map the neural circuits mediating brain-body interactions in metabolic homeostasis and investigate how their dysfunction contributes to metabolic and mood disorders.

Prior to this, I earned my Ph.D. in neuroscience at Tsinghua University under the mentorship of Yi Zhong, where I investigated how sensory stimuli shape long-term memory formation in Drosophila. My research led to the discovery of "context-dependent memory" and "merged memory". Building on this foundation, I pursued further study as an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Gero Miesenböck at the University of Oxford, where I studied the neural mechanisms of sleep regulation and refined my expertise in in vivo electrophysiology and multiphoton imaging.

Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring new hiking trails, teaching myself electric guitar, and contemplating big questions in neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.

             

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Research

My current research interests lie in how sensory information affects behavior and cognition, with a focus on developing therapeutic strategies for neurological and psychological disorders.
Long-term memory is formed immediately without the need for protein synthesis-dependent consolidation in Drosophila
Zhao B, Sun J, Zhang X, Mo H, Niu Y, Li Q, Wang L, Zhong Y.
Nat Commun 10, 4550 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12436-7

Memory formation relies on the brain’s ability to integrate sensory information, yet the role of multisensory processing in long-term memory had remained unexplored. We discovered a novel context-dependent long-term memory (cLTM) encoded in the lateral horn, a higher-order olfactory center integrating multisensory inputs. Unlike conventional long-term memories stored in the mushroom body, cLTM forms within minutes, lasts a lifetime, and—unexpectedly—does not require new protein synthesis. This mechanism had previously gone undetected because olfactory memories are traditionally studied by training and testing in different contexts, isolating them from multisensory influences. Our findings demonstrate that sensory cues play an active role in shaping memory stability and retrieval, explaining why familiar environmental contexts can reactivate seemingly forgotten memories. By identifying multisensory integration as a fundamental mechanism for long-term memory formation, this work redefines how sensory experiences shape memory persistence and accessibility.

Differential conditioning produces merged long-term memory in Drosophila
Zhao B, Sun J, Li Q, Zhong Y
eLife 10:e66499 (2021). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.66499

Memory not only encodes events but also shapes emotional perception and decision-making. We identified a phenomenon called "merged memory" (mLTM), in which negative valence is broadly assigned to an entire experience rather than its precise details. This generalization mechanism suggests that the brain prioritizes emotional context over specific sensory features, enabling organisms to quickly assess threats but at the cost of memory precision. This work provides insights into how emotional biases emerge, with potential implications for understanding memory distortions in anxiety disorders, PTSD, and decision-making.

Exclusion and Co-expression of Aversive Olfactory Long-Term Memories in Drosophila
Zhao B, Zhang X, Zhao J, Li Q
Neurosci Bull 38, 657-660 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-022-00830-z

Memory is not a singular entity—multiple memory systems interact dynamically to guide behavior. Building on our previous work, we examined how spaced long-term memory (spLTM), context-dependent long-term memory (cLTM), and merged long-term memory (mLTM) compete or coexist in shaping decision-making. Our findings suggest that the brain balances memory precision and behavioral flexibility by integrating multiple sensory and contextual inputs. By revealing how memories are prioritized and interact within the olfactory system, this work provides a framework for understanding how the brain resolves conflicting sensory experiences and maintains adaptive learning.

Genetic dissection of mutual interference between two consecutive learning tasks in Drosophila
Zhao J, Zhang X, Zhao B, Hu W, Diao T, Wang L, Li Q
eLife 12:e83516 (2023). https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.83516

The ability to learn new information is constrained by prior experiences, yet the molecular basis of memory interference remains unclear. We identified distinct neural pathways regulating two forms of interference:

  • Proactive interference, where prior learning disrupts new learning, is mediated by the CSW/Raf/MAPK pathway.
  • Retroactive interference, where new learning weakens prior memory, is controlled by the Rac1-mediated active forgetting pathway.
These findings reveal a molecular framework for memory stability and competition, shedding light on how sensory-driven learning and forgetting processes shape adaptive behavior.

Awards

Bohan Zhao 2025 V1.0