Medicinal Chemistry

Kezhong Zhang

Kezhong Zhang
Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics, Department of Immunology and Microbiology
Wayne State University, USA

Biography

Dr. Kezhong Zhang is Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine & Genetics and of Immunology and Microbiology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. He obtained his Ph.D from Fudan University and postdoctoral training from University of Michigan School of Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He has been leading a research team at the Wayne State University, focusing on research in intracellular stress signaling pathways from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria that modulate cell metabolism and inflammatory responses associated with metabolic disease and cancer. He characterized the roles of the ER stress sensor IRE1α in regulating B cell differentiation and function. He also revealed the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of a novel liver-specific, stress-inducible transcription factor CREBH in acute phase response and hepatic lipid metabolism. His research work has led to more than 50 important scientific publications in high-profile journals, including Cell, Nature, Science, J. Clin. Invest., EMBO, and PNAS. His research programs were funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Department of Defense (DOD), and American Heart Association (AHA).

Research Interest

My research interest is focused on the molecular basis governing intracellular stress signaling from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to regulate cell metabolism and inflammation that are associated with metabolic disease and cancer. Currently, four funded research programs are running in my laboratory at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. These include:
(1) Regulation of Hepatic Steatosis by ER Stress-inducible Transcriptional Activators.
(2) Regulation of Macrophage Inflammation and Transformation by the Unfolded Protein Response.
(3) Airborne Particulate Matter-induced ER Stress and Its effect on Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.
(4) Roles of Endoplasmic Reticulum Lipid-raft Proteins in Breast Cancer Malignancy Maintenance and Therapy Resistance.