Expert in applied human molecular genetics. Expert areas include microscopic and submicroscopic structural variations (chromosome rearrangements, and submicroscopic copy number variations, CNVs) and their involvement in disease pathogenesis; intragenic small variations (mutations) and their association with human disorders. ZT has hands-on-experience on several laboratory techniques including chromosome analysis, chromosome microarray analyses, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), gene cloning technologies, different DNA and RNA tecniques. 

To identify genes and genetic/epigenetic mechanisms involved in monogenic and complex neurodevelopmental/

neuropsychiatric disorders: e.g. cloning of the Menkes disease gene, ATP7A; elucidation of the role of DYRK1A

in microcephaly; association of AADAC and IMMP2L in Tourette syndrome. 

Identification of genes, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved different human disorders including: 

• Tourette syndrome and co-morbidities (ADHD, OCD, Autism)
• Intellectual disabilities
• Imprinting disorders
• Cornelia de Lange syndrome and other cohesion deficiency disorders
• Rett- syndrome and related disorders