鲁白教授的实验室主要运用多种研究手段包括分子与细胞生物学，电生理，光遗传学，行为学，显微活体成像以及遗传学等，研究脑认知功能的神经环路，突触可塑性，神经与精神疾病、神经修复的分子生物学基础以及多种神经系统疾病的药物研发。重点涵盖以下几个方面：

鲁白教授的研究兴趣涵盖神经科学与神经，精神疾病、模式动物、发育生物学、遗传学与人类基因组研究等方面,发表科学论文100多篇。他长期从事神经发育与突触可塑性的研究，有多项重要发现。

（1）1996年发现神经营养因子(BDNF)对学习记忆机制的促进作用，与国际上几位学者一起，开创了神经营养因子调控突触和神经可塑性的新领域；

（2） 2003年与Weinberger教授一起发现人BDNF基因上的一个单核甘酸变异(SNP) 能影响BDNF在脑中的释放，从而改变学习记忆功能。该工作被Science杂志列为2003年世界十大科技进展中的第二位；

（3）2004－2005年，鲁白等发现了BDNF前体proBDNF的剪切对长时记忆机制的促进作用，及proBDNF对脑中突触可塑性的抑制作用；

（4）基于BDNF和proBDNF之间的既互相对立又彼此联系的关系，鲁白教授提出了“神经营养因子作用中的阴阳机制” 假说；

（5）揭示了 “activity-dependent” 的BDNF转录所介导的神经生物学功能；

（6）发现proBDNF到BDNF的转化是神经电活动依赖性突触竞争的一种重要机制，为解决这一发育神经生物学基本问题提供了方向；

（7）提出了BDNF为基础的突触修复治疗神经退行性疾病的新策略。

2014年：汤森路透集团神经科学和行为学“高被引科学家”

2007年：吴瑞奖

2006年：NIH院长奖

2003年：APAO奖

2003年：Mathilde Solowey奖

2001-2003年：Staff Recognition Award, NICHD.

1998年：白玉兰杰出科技人才奖

1989年：殷志浩大陆杰出青年科学家奖

Research Papers(Selected):

1. H. Liu, F. Mei, R. Ye, S. Wang, Y. Ding, X. Han, Y. Zhi, K. Pang, B. Lu (2024) APOE3ch alleviates Aβ and tau pathology and neurodegeneration in the human APPNL-G-F cerebral organoid model of Alzheimer’s disease. Cell Res. 34(6):451-454. doi: 10.1038/s41422-024-00957-w.

2. F. Mei, C. Zhao, S. Li, Z. Xue, Y. Zhao, Y. Xu, R. Ye, H. You, P. Yu, X. Han, G. Carr, D. R. Weinberger, F. Yang, B. Lu (2024) Ngfr+ cholinergic projection from SI/nBM to mPFC selectively regulates temporal order recognition memory. Nature Communication. 15(1):7342. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51707-w.

3. F. Yang, H. You, T. Mizuia, (co-first author), K. Kiyosuea, K. Takao, T. Miyakawa, X. Li, T. Bai, K. Xia, L. Zhang, D. Pang, Y. Xu, C. Zhu, M. Kojima, B. Lu (2024) Inhibiting proBDNF to mature BDNF conversion leads to ASD-like phenotypes in vivo. Mol. Psychiatry. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02595-5.

4. F. W. Pun, B. H. M Liu, X. Long, J. D. Rothstein, M. E. Cudkowicz, I. V. Ozerov, H. W. Leung, G. H. D. Leung, A. Shneyderman, J. Wang, F. Ren, A. Aliper, X. Guan, B. Lu (co-corresponding author), A. Zhavoronkov, (2022) Identification of therapeutic targets and drug repurposing candidates for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using PandaOmicsTM – an AI-enabled biological target discovery platform. Frontier in Aging Neuroscie. 14: 914017.

5. X. Qin, Y. Zhao, Y. Xu, T. Zhang, C. Yin. J. Qiao, W. Guo, B Lu (2022) TrkB agonist antibody ameliorates fertility deficits in aged and cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure model mice. Nature Communication. 13(1): 914.

6. K. Pang, R. Jiang, W. Zhang, Z. Yang, L. Li, M. Shimozawa, S. Tambaro, J. Mayer, B. Zhang, M. Li, J. Wang, H. Liu, A. Yang, X. Chen, J. Liu, B. Winblad, H. Han, T. Jiang, W. Wang, P. Nilsson, W. Guo, B. Lu (2021) An App knock-in rat model for Alzheimer’s disease exhibiting Aβ and tau pathologies, neuronal death and cognitive impairments. Cell Research. 32(2): 157–175.

7. J. Liu, Q. Chen, S. Yang, Y. Li, Y. Dou, Y-Q. Deng, J. Bi, Y. Tan, H. Wang, W. Gong, X. Xu, Z. Li, G. Lang, C-F. Qin, B. Lu (co-corresponding author), W. Jiang (2021) hACE2 Fc-neutralization antibody cocktail provides synergistic protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its spike RBD variants. Cell Discovery. 7(1):54.

8. S. Wang, H. Yao, Y. Xu, R. Hao, W. Zhang, H. Liu, Y. Huang, W. Guo, B. Lu (2020). Therapeutic potential of a TrkB agonist antibody for Alzheimer’s disease. Theranostics. 10: 6854-6874.

9. W. Guo, Y. Chen, K. Pang, H. Li, S. Wang, H. Yao1, Y. Xu, H. Liu, V. Lopes-Rodrigues, W. Wu, B. Lu (2019). TrkB agonist antibodies with unique properties superior to BDNF: Utility in treating motoneuron degeneration. Neurobiology of Diseases. 132：104590.[bl1]

10. F. Han, X. M. Guan, W. Guo, B. Lu (2019) Therapeutic potential of a TrkB agonistic antibody for ischemic brain injury. Neurobiology of Diseases. 127:570-581.

11. J. Guo, Y. Ji, Y. Ding, W. Jiang, Y. Sun, B. Lu (co-corresponding author) and G. Nagappan. (2016) BDNF pro-peptide regulates dendritic spines via caspase-3. Cell Death and Disease. 7(6):e2264
12. P. Pang, G. Nagappan, W. Guo , B. Lu. (2016). Extracellular and intracellular cleavages of proBDNF required at two distinct stages of late-phase LTP.  npj Science of Learning. 1, 16003.
[bl2] 13. W. Guo, Y. Ji, S. Wang, Y. Sun, B. Lu (2014) Neuronal activity alters BDNF- TrkB signaling kinetics and downstream functions. J. Cell Sci. 127, 2249-2260.
14. K. Sakata, K. Martinowich ( co-first author), N. H. Woo, R. Schlosser, L. Shen, B. Lu (2013) Activity-dependent BDNF transcription regulates hippocampal late-phase LTP and behavioral perseverance. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.  110(37):15103-8.
15. H. –S. Je, F. Yang, Y. Ji, G. Nagappan, B. Hempstead, and B. Lu (2012). Role of proBDNF to mature BDNF conversion in activity-dependent competition at developing neuromuscular synapses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.  109, 15924-15929.
16. J. Y. Kim, C. Liu, F. Zhang, X. Duan, Z. Wen, J. Song, E. Feighery, B. Lu, D. Rujescu, D. S. Clair, K. Christian, J. H. Callicott, D. R. Weinberger, H. Song and G. -l. Ming (2012) Interplay between DISC1 and GABA Signaling Regulates Neurogenesis in Mice and Risk for Schizophrenia. Cell. 5, 1051-1064.
17. K. Zheng, J. J. An, F. Yang, W. Xu, Z. Xu, J. Wu, T. Hökfelt, A. Fisahn, B. Xu, and B. Lu (2011) TrkB Signaling in Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons Is Critical for gamma-band network synchronization in hippocampus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 108, 17201-17206.
18. Y. Jiao, Z. Zhang, C. Zhang, X. Wang,  K. Sakata, B. Lu ^, (co-corresponding author), and Q. -Q. Sun (2011) A key mechanism underlying sensory experience-dependent maturation of neocortical GABAergic circuits in vivo. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 108, 12131-12136.
19. Y. Ji, Y. Lu, F. Yang, W. Shen, T. T. Tang, L. Feng, S. Duan, and B. Lu (2010) Acute and gradual increases in BDNF concentration elicit distinct signaling and functions in neurons. Nature Neuroscience 13, 302-309.
20. B. Fritsch, J. Reis, K. Martinowich, H. M. Schambra, Y. Ji, L. Cohen, and B. Lu (2010) Direct Current Stimulation Promotes BDNF-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity: Potential Implications for Motor Learning. Neuron 66, 198-204.
21. T. T. Tang, F. Yang, B. Chen, Y. Lu, Y. Ji, K. Roche (co-corresponding author), and B. Lu (2009) Dysbindin regulates hippocampal LTP by controlling NMDA receptor surface expression. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 21395-400.
22. Y. Ji, F. Yang, F. Papaleo ( co-first author), H. Wang, W. Gao, D. R. Weinberger, and B. Lu (2009) Role of dysbindin in dopamine receptor trafficking and cortical GABA function. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 19593–98.
23. S. J, Huffaker, J. Chen, K. Nicodemus, F Sambataro, F. Yang, V. Mattay, B. Lipska, T. M. Hyde, J. Song, D. Rujescu, I. Giegling, K. Mayilyan, M. J. Proust, A. Soghoyan, G. Caforio, J. H. Callicott, A. Bertolino , A. Meyer-Lindenberg , J. Chang, Y. Ji , M. Egan, T. Goldberg, K. E. Kleinman, B. Lu, D. R. Weinberger (2009) A novel, primate-specific brain isoform of KCNH2 affects cortical physiology, cognition, neuronal repolarization and risk of schizophrenia. Nature Medicine 5, 509-518.
24. K. Sakata, N. H. Woo, K. Martinowich, J. S. Greene, R. Schlosser, L. Shen, B. Lu (2009) Critical role f promoter-IV-driven BDNF transcription in GABAergic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 5942–5947.
25. G. Nagappan, E. Zaitsev, V. V. Senatorov, Jr., J. Yang, B. Hempstead, B. Lu (2009) Control of extracellular cleavage of proBDNF by high-frequency neuronal activity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 106, 1267-1272.
26. J. J. An, K. Gharami, G. –Y. Liao, N. H. Woo, A. G. Lau, F. Vanevski, E. R. Torre, K. R. Jones, Y. Feng, B. Lu, B. Xu (2008) Distinct role of long 3’UTR BDNF mRNA in spine morphology and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Cell 134, 175-187.
27. X. Duan, J. H. Chang, S. Ge, R. L. Faulkner, J. Y. Kim, Y. Kitabatake, X. –b. Liu, C-H. Yang, D. Jordan, D. K. Ma, C. Y. Liu, H.-J. Cheng, G. –l. Ming, B. Lu ( co-corresponding author), and H. Song (2007) Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia 1 regulates development of newly generated neurons in the adult brain. Cell. 130; 1146-1158.
28. N. H. Woo, H.K. Teng, C. –J. Siao, C. Chiaruttini, P. T. Pang, T. A. Milner, B. L. Hempstead, and B. Lu (2005) Activation of p75 ^NTR by proBDNF facilitates hippocampal long-term depression. Nature Neuroscience 8, 1069-1077.
29. Y. Ji, P. T. Pang, L. Feng, and B. Lu (2005) Cyclic AMP controls BDNF-induced TrkB phosphorylation and dendritic spine formation in mature hippocampal neurons. Nature Neuroscience. 8, 164-172.
30. P. T. Pang, H. K. Teng, E. Zaitsev, N. Woo, K. Sakata, S. Zhen, K. K. Teng, W.-H. Yung, B. L. Hempstead, and B. Lu (2004) Cleavage of ProBDNF by tPA/plasmin is essential for long-term hippocampal plasticity. Science. 306, 487-491.
31. M. F. Egan, M. Kojima, J. H. Callicott, T. E. Goldberg, B. S. Kolachana, A. Bertolino, E. Zaistev, B. Gold, D. Goldman, M. Dean, B. Lu, ( co-corresponding author) and D. R. Weinberger (2003) The BDNF val66met polymorphism affects activity-dependent secretion of BDNF and human memory and hippocampal function. Cell 112, 257-269.
32. C. Wang, F. Yang, X. He, A. Chow, J. Du, J. Russell, and B. Lu (2001) Ca ²⁺-binding protein frequenin mediates GDNF-induced potentiation of Ca ²⁺ channels and transmitter release. Neuron  32, 99-112.
33. F. Yang, L. Feng, Z. Fang, S. W. Johnson, J. Du, L. Shen, C. -P. Wu, and B. Lu (2001) GDNF acutely modulates excitability and A-type K ⁺ channels in midbrain dopaminergic neurons.  Nature Neurosci. 4, 1071-1078.
34. F. Yang, X. He, L. Feng, K. Mizuno, X. Liu, J. Russell, W. Xiong, and B. Lu (2001) PI-3 kinase and IP3 are both necessary and sufficient to mediate NT3-induced synaptic potentiation.  Nature Neurosci.  4, 19-28. With News and Views comments by David Kaplan and Ellis Copper, 4, 5-7.
35. A. Figurov, L. Pozzo-Miller, T. Wang, P. Olafsson, and B. Lu (1996) Regulation of synaptic responses to high-frequency stimulation and LTP by neurotrophins in the hippocampus.  Nature 381, 706-709.          
36. P. Olafsson, T. Wang, and B. Lu (1995)  Molecular cloning and functional characterization of Xenopus Ca ²⁺- binding protein frequenin.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA   92, 8001-8005 .
37. T. Wang, Z. Xie, and B. Lu (1995) Nitric oxide mediates activity-dependent synaptic suppression at developing neuromuscular synapses.  Nature  374, 262-266.
38. H. G. Kim, T. Wang, P. Olafsson, and B. Lu (1994)  Neurotrophin-3 potentiates neuronal activity and inhibits g-aminobutyratergic synaptic transmission in cortical neurons.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA  91, 12341-12345.  
39. B. Lu, W. -m. Fu, P. Greengard and M. -m. Poo (1993) Calcitonin gene-related peptide potentiates synaptic responses at developing neuromuscular junction.  Nature  363, 76-79.
40. J. Alder, . B. Lu, F. Valtorta, P. Greengard and M. -m. Poo (1992) Calcium-dependent transmitter secretion reconstituted in Xenopus oocytes: Requirement for synaptophysin. Science 257, 657-661.
41. B. Lu, P. Greengard and M. -m. Poo (1992) Exogenous synapsin I promotes functional maturation of developing neuromuscular synapses. Neuron  8, 521-529.        
42. B. Lu, M. Yokoyama, C. F. Dreyfus and I. B. Black (1991) Depolarizing stimuli regulate nerve growth factor gene expression in cultured hippocampal neurons. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 88, 6289-6292.