Education and Work Experience:

2018-Present: Huazhong Agricultural University, College of Life Science and Technology, Professor

2014-2017: Zhejiang University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Postdoctoral Researcher

2009-2014: Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ph.D.

2005-2009: Wuhan University, School of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Bachelor’s Degree

Research Interests:

Life is dynamics. Proteins perform specific functions through dynamic changes in their structures. Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding protein functions and the laws of life from a dynamics perspective. We develop and apply various complementary biophysical techniques, including single-molecule fluorescence (smFRET, FLIM-FRET), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), crystallography (X-ray), cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry (CXMS). We employ an integrated structural biology strategy to study the proteins structures, dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions at both in vitro and cellular levels.

Our laboratory conducts research in the following three areas related to neurodegenerative diseases and nutrient metabolism:

1.     Structural basis of protein functions (focusing on crystallography and cryo-EM);

2.     Development and application of methods for studying protein dynamics (using techniques such as NMR, single-molecule fluorescence, small-angle scattering, chemical cross-  

      linking mass spectrometry, molecular dynamics simulations, etc.);

3.     Dynamics and kinetic processes of protein activation and regulation (biophysical research based on structural foundations).

Courses Taught:

Undergraduate: Biochemistry, Biochemistry Laboratory, Biochemical Techniques

Graduate: Frontiers in Protein Science, Protein Structure and Function

Recruitment:

We are recruiting master’s students with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science. We are also looking for 2-3 postdoctoral researchers in biophysics, biochemistry, and chemical biology. For more details, please visit our website:

http://lst.hzau.edu.cn/info/1188/10083.htm

Email: liuzhu@mail.hzau.edu.cn

Office Location: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Room A110