Self-introduction
Dr. Zhiyi Wei was attracted by the uniqueness of structural biology in understanding biology during his Ph.D. study. After his postdoctoral training at University of Washington, he joined the Hong Kong UST as a Research Assistant Professor. Now, he is an Associate Professor at South University of Science and Technology of China. His current research focus on understanding the protein-mediated interaction and molecular machinery assembly in biological processes, especially in neuronal development and related diseases. From 2009, he has published more than 20 high impact research papers in international journals, including Nature、Science, Cell, Molecular Cell, and PNAS.
Research Interests
◆ Molecular mechanism of neuronal development and related diseases
◆ Assembly mechanisms of membrane microdomains
◆ Cellular transport mechanisms
◆ Protein machinery
Professional Experience
◆ 2013 – present, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology of China
◆ 2009 – 2013, Research Associate Professor, Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
◆ 2007 – 2009, Research Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Washington
Educational Background
◆ 2007, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China
◆ 2002, B.S., Biology, University of Science and Technology of China
Honors & Awards
◆ Tin Ka Ping Fellow, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2011-2013
◆ Outstanding Graduate, University of Science and Technology of China, 2007
Selected Publication
1. L Lin, J Dong, S Xu, J Xiao, C Yu, F Niu*, Z Wei*. Autoinhibition and Relief Mechanisms for MICAL Monooxygenases in F-actin Disassembly. Nat Commun., 15:6824. (2024)
2. F Niu, L Li, L Wang, J Xiao, S Xu, Y Liu, L Lin, C Yu*, Z Wei*. Autoinhibition and activation of myosin VI revealed by its cryo-EM structure. Nat Commun., 15:1187. (2024)
3. F Niu*, Y Liu, K Sun, S Xu, J Dong, C Yu, K Yan, Z Wei*. Autoinhibition and activation mechanisms revealed by the triangular-shaped structure of myosin Va. Science Advances, 8(49):4187. (2022)
4. M Liang, G Jin, X Xie, W Zhang, K Li, F Niu, C Yu*, Z Wei*. Oligomerized Liprin-α Promotes Phase Separation of ELKS for Compartmentalization of Presynaptic Active Zone Proteins. Cell Reports, 34(12):108901 (2021).
5. Q Xiao, L Wang, S Supekar, T Shen, H Liu, F Ye, J Huang, H Fan*, Z Wei*, C Zhang*. Structure of human steroid 5α-reductase 2 with the anti-androgen drug finasteride. Nature Communications, 11(1):5430 (2020).
6. F Niu, K Sun, W Wei, C Yu*, Z Wei*. F-actin disassembly factor MICAL1 binding to Myosin Va mediates cargo unloading during cytokinesis. Science Advances, 6(45):eabb1307 (2020).
7. X Xie, L Luo, M Liang, W Zhang, T Zhang, C Yu, Z Wei*. Structural basis of liprin-α-promoted LAR-RPTP clustering for modulation of phosphatase activity. Nature Communications, 11(1): 169 (2020).
8. L Wang, D Yao, RNVK Deepak, H Liu, Q Xiao, H Fan, W Gong, Z Wei*, C Zhang. Structures of the human PGD2 receptor CRTH2 reveal novel mechanisms for ligand recognition. Mol Cell. 72:48-59.e4. (2018)
9. H Zhao, G Sheng, J Wang, M Wang, G Bunkoczi, W Gong, Z Wei*, Y Wang*. Crystal structure of the RNA-guided immune surveillance Cascade complex in Escherichia coli. Nature. 515:147-150 (2014)
Other Info
◆ Research assistant and postdoctoral positions are open for application
