Professor Zhang has devoted 30 years to studyingHIV-1 pathogenesis and vaccine development, and recently expanded his research into emerging and re-emerging human viral pathogens such as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Ebola and Zika virus. Using cutting-edge antibody and combinatorial antigen library techniques,Professor Zhang’s team aims to characterizeprotective antibody immunity in infected humans andrationally designof effective vaccines and therapeutics against the viral infection. Professor Zhang is the Director of Comprehensive AIDS Research Center and Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Center at Tsinghua University. Heis a graduate of University of Edinburgh and holds associate professorship at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center of Rockefeller University in New York before joining Tsinghua University in 2007.Professor Zhangis the recipient of National Outstanding Young Scientist Award and privileged Changjiang Professorship. He has published extensively and ranked No. 1 among the most cited Chinese Researchers in the field of microbiology and immunology surveyed by Elsevier in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Professor Zhanghas also been serving as the member of national expert and advisory board to the Chinese government and several international organizations on HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases and recently been elected to the foreign fellow of African Academy of Sciences

Elected to the African Academy of Sciences in 2016

National Science and Technology Awards second prize in 2015

Distinguished Young Scholar of National Natural Science Foundation in 2008

Distinguished Overseas Young Scholar of National Natural Science Foundation in 2003

1. Zhou P, Wang H, Fang M, Li Y, Wang H, Shi S, Li Z, Wu J, Han X, Shi X, Shang H, Zhou T, Zhang L. 2019. Broadly resistant HIV-1 against CD4-binding site neutralizing antibodies. PLoS Pathog 15:e1007819.

2. Xu J, Jia W, Wang P, Zhang S, Shi X, Wang X, Zhang L. 2019. Antibodies and vaccines against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Emerg Microbes Infect 8:841-856.

3. Wang Q, Liu L, Ren W, Gettie A, Wang H, Liang Q, Shi X, Montefiori DC, Zhou T, Zhang L. 2019. A Single Substitution in gp41 Modulates the Neutralization Profile of SHIV during In Vivo Adaptation. Cell Rep 27:2593-2607.e5.

4. Wang P, Zuo Y, Sun J, Zuo T, Zhang S, Guo S, Shi X, Liang M, Zhou P, Zhang L, Wang X. 2019. Structural and functional definition of a vulnerable site on the hemagglutinin of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H5N1. J Biol Chem 294:4290-4303.

5. Wang L, Wang R, Wang L, Ben H, Yu L, Gao F, Shi X, Yin C, Zhang F, Xiang Y, Zhang L. 2019. Structural Basis for Neutralization and Protection by a Zika Virus-Specific Human Antibody. Cell Rep 26:3360-3368.e5.

6. Li G, Jiang Y, Zhang L. 2019. HIV upsurge in China's students. Science 364:711.

7. Jia W, Channappanavar R, Zhang C, Li M, Zhou H, Zhang S, Zhou P, Xu J, Shan S, Shi X, Wang X, Zhao J, Zhou D, Perlman S, Zhang L. 2019. Single intranasal immunization with chimpanzee adenovirus-based vaccine induces sustained and protective immunity against MERS-CoV infection. Emerg Microbes Infect 8:760-772.

8. Zuo Y, Wang P, Sun J, Guo S, Wang G, Zuo T, Fan S, Zhou P, Liang M, Shi X, Wang X, Zhang L. 2018. Complementary recognition of the receptor-binding site of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses by two human neutralizing antibodies. J Biol Chem 293:16503-16517.

9. Zhang S, Zhou P, Wang P, Li Y, Jiang L, Jia W, Wang H, Fan A, Wang D, Shi X, Fang X, Hammel M, Wang S, Wang X, Zhang L. 2018. Structural Definition of a Unique Neutralization Epitope on the Receptor-Binding Domain of MERS-CoV Spike Glycoprotein. Cell Rep 24:441-452.

10. Zhang L, Zhong P, Zhai X, Shao Y, Lu S. 2018. Open letter from Chinese HIV professionals on human genome editing. Lancet 3:33082-4.

11. Wang H, Chen X, Wang D, Yao C, Wang Q, Xie J, Shi X, Xiang Y, Liu W, Zhang L. 2018. Epitope-focused immunogens against the CD4-binding site of HIV-1 envelope protein induce neutralizing antibodies against auto- and heterologous viruses. J Biol Chem 293:830-846.

12. Wang FS, Zhang L, Douek D, McMichael A, Xu XN, Lewin SR. 2018. Strategies for an HIV cure: progress and challenges. Nat Immunol 19:1155-1158.

13. Li C, Gao F, Yu L, Wang R, Jiang Y, Shi X, Yin C, Tang X, Zhang F, Xu Z, Zhang L. 2018. A Single Injection of Human Neutralizing Antibody Protects against Zika Virus Infection and Microcephaly in Developing Mouse Embryos. Cell Rep 23:1424-1434.

14. Yu L, Wang R, Gao F, Li M, Liu J, Wang J, Hong W, Zhao L, Wen Y, Yin C, Wang H, Zhang Q, Li Y, Zhou P, Zhang R, Liu Y, Tang X, Guan Y, Qin CF, Chen L, Shi X, Jin X, Cheng G, Zhang F, Zhang L. 2017. Delineating antibody recognition against Zika virus during natural infection. JCI Insight 2(12).93042.

15. Shi B, Li J, Shi X, Jia W, Wen Y, Hu X, Zhuang F, Xi J, Zhang L. 2017. TALEN-Mediated Knockout of CCR5 Confers Protection Against Infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 74:229-241.

16. Zhang Q, Gui M, Niu X, He S, Wang R, Feng Y, Kroeker A, Zuo Y, Wang H, Wang Y, Li J, Li C, Shi Y, Shi X, Gao GF, Xiang Y, Qiu X, Chen L, Zhang L. 2016. Potent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against Ebola virus infection. Sci Rep 6:25856.

17. Jin S, Ji Y, Wang Q, Wang H, Shi X, Han X, Zhou T, Shang H, Zhang L. 2016. Spatiotemporal hierarchy in antibody recognition against transmitted HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein during natural infection. Retrovirology 13:12.

18. Zuo T, Sun J, Wang G, Jiang L, Zuo Y, Li D, Shi X, Liu X, Fan S, Ren H, Hu H, Sun L, Zhou B, Liang M, Zhou P, Wang X, Zhang L. 2015. Comprehensive analysis of antibody recognition in convalescent humans from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection. Nat Commun 6:8855.

19. Jiang L, Wang N, Zuo T, Shi X, Poon KM, Wu Y, Gao F, Li D, Wang R, Guo J, Fu L, Yuen KY, Zheng BJ, Wang X, Zhang L. 2014. Potent Neutralization of MERS-CoV by Human Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies to the Viral Spike Glycoprotein. Sci Transl Med 6:234ra59.

20. Wang N, Shi X, Jiang L, Zhang S, Wang D, Tong P, Guo D, Fu L, Cui Y, Liu X, Arledge KC, Chen YH, Zhang L, Wang X. 2013. Structure of MERS-CoV spike receptor-binding domain complexed with human receptor DPP4. Cell Res 23:986-93.

21. Sun C, Chen Z, Tang X, Zhang Y, Feng L, Du Y, Xiao L, Liu L, Zhu W, Chen L, Zhang L. 2013. Mucosal priming with a replicating-vaccinia virus-based vaccine elicits protective immunity to simian immunodeficiency virus challenge in rhesus monkeys. J Virol 87:5669-77.

22. Shang H, Xu J, Han X, Spero Li J, Arledge KC, Zhang L. 2012. HIV prevention: Bring safe sex to China. Nature 485:576-7.

23. Guo D, Shi X, Arledge KC, Song D, Jiang L, Fu L, Gong X, Zhang S, Wang X, Zhang L. 2012. A single residue within the V5 region of HIV-1 envelope facilitates viral escape from the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody VRC01. J Biol Chem 287:43170-9.

24. Zuo T, Shi X, Liu Z, Guo L, Zhao Q, Guan T, Pan X, Jia N, Cao W, Zhou B, Goldin M, Zhang L. 2011. Comprehensive analysis of pathogen-specific antibody response in vivo based on an antigen library displayed on surface of yeast. J Biol Chem 286:33511-9.

25. Shang H, Han X, Shi X, Zuo T, Goldin M, Chen D, Han B, Sun W, Wu H, Wang X, Zhang L. 2011. Genetic and Neutralization Sensitivity of Diverse HIV-1 env Clones from Chronically Infected Patients in China. J Biol Chem 286:14531-41..

26. Liu Z, Shan M, Li L, Lu L, Meng S, Chen C, He Y, Jiang S, Zhang L. 2010. In Vitro Selection and Characterization of HIV-1 Variants with Increased Resistance to Sifuvirtide, a Novel HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitor. J Biol Chem 286:3277-87.

27. Lu L, Jia M, Ma Y, Yang L, Chen Z, HO DD, Jiang Y, Zhang L. 2008. The Changing face of HIV in China. Nature 455:607-609.

28. He Y, Xiao Y, Song H, Liang Q, Ju D, Chen X, Lu H, Jing W, Jiang S, Zhang L. 2008. Design and Evaluation of Sifuvirtide, a Novel HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitor. J Biol Chem 283:11126-34.

29. Chen HY, Di Mascio M, Perelson AS, Ho DD, Zhang L. 2007. Determination of virus burst size in vivo using a single-cycle SIV in rhesus macaques. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:19079-84.

30. Zhang L, Chung C, Hu BS, He T, Guo Y, Kim AJ, Skulsky E, Jin X, Hurley A, Ramratnam B, Markowitz M, Ho DD. 2000. Genetic characterization of rebounding HIV-1 after cessation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. J Clin Invest 106:839-45.

31. Ho DD, Zhang L. 2000. HIV-1 rebound after anti-retroviral therapy. Nat Med 6:736-7.

32. Zhang L, Ramratnam B, Tenner-Racz K, He Y, Vesanen M, Lewin S, Talal A, Racz P, Perelson AS, Korber BT, Markowitz M, Ho DD. 1999. Quantifying residual HIV-1 replication in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. N Engl J Med 340:1605-13.

33. Zhang L, Lewin SR, Markowitz M, Lin HH, Skulsky E, Karanicolas R, He Y, Jin X, Tuttleton S, Vesanen M, Spiegel H, Kost R, van Lunzen J, Stellbrink HJ, Wolinsky S, Borkowsky W, Palumbo P, Kostrikis LG, Ho DD. 1999. Measuring recent thymic emigrants in blood of normal and HIV-1-infected individuals before and after effective therapy. J Exp Med 190:725-32.

34. Zhang L, He T, Huang Y, Chen Z, Guo Y, Wu S, Kunstman KJ, Brown RC, Phair JP, Neumann AU, Ho DD, Wolinsky SM. 1998. Chemokine coreceptor usage by diverse primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. J Virol 72:9307-12.

35. Zhang L, Huang Y, He T, Cao Y, Ho DD. 1996. HIV-1 subtype and second-receptor use. Nature 383:768.

36. Zhang LQ, MacKenzie P, Cleland A, Holmes EC, Brown AJ, Simmonds P. 1993. Selection for specific sequences in the external envelope protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 upon primary infection. J Virol 67:3345-56.

37. Zhang LQ, Simmonds P, Ludlam CA, Brown AJ. 1991. Detection, quantification and sequencing of HIV-1 from the plasma of seropositive individuals and from factor VIII concentrates. Aids 5:675-81.