Faculty
Dr. Jun Xu is an Assistant Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Huazhong University of Science and Technology （HUST） in 2014 and earned his Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences from the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in 2019. Following his doctoral studies, he served as a visiting scholar and postdoctoral researcher at the Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford University School of Medicine, under the mentorship of Professor Brian Kobilka, the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. Dr. Xu joined the Department of Medical Neuroscience at SUSTech School of Medicine in January 2025.
Dr. Xu's research focuses on the dynamic molecular mechanisms underlying the functional diversity and complexity of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, as well as related drug development. His work has led to the publication of over 20 high-quality academic papers, including first-author or corresponding-author publications in top-tier international journals such as Science, Science Advances, Molecular Cell, Nature Communications, Cell Research, and PNAS. His contributions have advanced the understanding of GPCR biology and opened new avenues for therapeutic innovation.
RESEARCH FOCUS
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of membrane proteins, capable of sensing and responding to a wide range of extracellular stimuli, including light, hormones, neurotransmitters, and chemokines. These external signals are transduced by GPCRs into intracellular signals, thereby regulating numerous critical physiological and pathological processes.
Our research group employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating biochemistry, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and advanced biophysical techniques (including NMR spectroscopy, single-molecule FRET, cryo-electron microscopy, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry). Using model systems such as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, adrenergic receptors, and metabotropic glutamate receptors, we aim to unravel the dynamic molecular basis underlying the functional diversity and complexity of GPCRs.
In addition, we leverage cutting-edge technologies such as DNA-encoded compound libraries, computer and artificial intelligence-aided drug development to discover ligands and develop innovative drugs targeting orphan GPCRs. Our research focuses on addressing major health challenges, including central nervous system disorders, pain, and cardiovascular diseases. By exploring novel drug targets and their regulatory mechanisms, we strive to provide new strategies for the treatment and prevention of diseases in the future.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
2010.09–2014.06 Huazhong University of Science and Technology Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biotechnology
2014.09–2019.10 Tsinghua University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology
WOKRING EXPERIENCE
2020.03–2021.05, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Visiting Scholar
2021.06–2025.01, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Postdoctoral Researcher
2025.01–Present, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), School of Medicine, Assistant Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
HONORS AND AWARDS
2011, 2013 National Scholarship
2014 Outstanding Graduate, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
2017 Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc. Fellowship Award (Cold Spring Harbor Asia Conference on Membrane Protein: structure and function)
2023 Dean’s Fellowship Award, Stanford University School of Medicine
MANUSCRIPT REVIEWER AND EDITOR
Reviewer for prestigious journals including Cell Research, Cell Discovery, and Structure.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
(# Equal Contribution, * Corresponding)
1. J. Xu#, G. Chen#, H. Wang, S. Cao, J. Heng, X. Deupi, Y. Du, & B. K. Kobilka. Calcineurin-fusion facilitates cryo-EM structure determination of a family A GPCR. PNAS, 2024, Nov 20.
2. G. Chen, N. Staffen, Z. Wu, X. Xu, J. Pan, A. Inoue, R. Han, P. Gmeiner*, Yang Du*, J. Xu*, Structural and functional characterization of the endogenous agonist for the orphan receptor GPR3. Cell Research. 2024, Jan 30.
3. J. Xu#, Q. Wang#, H. Hübner, Y. Hu, X. Niu, S. Maeda, A. Inoue, H. Wang, Y. Tao, P. Gmeiner, Y. Du, C. Jin, &B. K. Kobilka. Structural and dynamic insights into supra-physiological activation and allosteric modulation of a muscarinic receptor. Nature communications. 2023, Jan 23.
4. J. Xu, Y. Hu, J. Kaindl, P. Risel, H. Hübner, S. Maeda, X. Niu, H. Li, P. Gmeiner, C. Jin, B. K. Kobilka. Conformational complexity and dynamics in a muscarinic receptor revealed by NMR spectroscopy. Molecular Cell. 2019 July 11.
5. J. Xu#, S. Cao#, H. Hübner#, D. Weikert, G. Chen, Q. Lu, D. Yuan, P. Gmeiner, Z. Liu, & Y. Du. Structural insights into ligand recognition, activation and signaling of the α2A-adrenergic receptor. Science Advances. 2022, March 4.
6. E. A. Fink#, J. Xu#, H. Hübner#, J. M. Braz#, P. Seemann#, C. Avet, V. Craik, M. Schmidt, C. Webb, N. A. Tolmachova, Y. S. Moroz, X. Huang, C. DeLeon, C. Kalyanaraman, S. Gahbauer, M. P. Jacobson, B. L. Roth, J. J. Irwin, Y. Du, B. K. Shoichet, A. I. Basbaum, & P. Gmeiner. Structure-based discovery of non-opioid analgesics acting through the α2A-adrenergic receptor. Science, 2022, Sep 30. Highlighted by Nature Reviews Drug Discovery: “Virtual screening yields refined GPCR agonists”.
7. G. Chen#, J. Xu#, A. Inoue#, M. F. Schmidt#, C. Bai, Q. Lu, P. Gmeiner, Z. Liu, & Y. Du. Activation and allosteric regulation of the orphan GPR88-Gi signaling complex. Nature communications. 2022, May 2.
8. L. Wang#, J. Xu#, S. Cao, D. Sun, H. Liu, Q. Lu, Z. Liu, Y. Du, & C. Zhang. Cryo-EM structure of the AVP-vasopressin receptor 2-Gs signaling complex. Cell Research. 2021, Mar 4. Link to paper
9. H. R. Kim#, J. Xu#, S. Maeda, N. M. Duc, D. Ahn, Y. Du, & K. Y. Chung. Structural mechanism of the primary and the secondary coupling between GPCRs and the Gi/o Family. Nature communications. 2020 June 22.
10. Z. Wu, G. Chen, C. Qiu, X. Yan, L. Xu, S. Jiang, J. Xu, R. Han, T. Shi, Y. Liu, W. Gao, Q. Wang, J. Li, F. Ye, X. Pan, Z. Zhang, P. Ning, B. Zhang, G. Chen, Y. Du. Structural basis for the ligand recognition and G-protein subtype selectivity of kisspeptin receptor. Science Advances. 2024, Aug 16.
11. M. Bi, X. Wang, J. Wang, J. Xu, W. Sun, V. A. Adediwura, Y. Miao, Y. Cheng, L. Ye. Structure and function of a ligand-free intermediate GPCR-Gabg complex. Nature communications. 2024, accepted.
12. K. K. Kumar, H. Wang, C. Habrian, N. R. Latorraca, J. Xu, E. S. O’Brien, C. Zhang, E. Montabana, A. Koehl, S. Marqusee, E. Y. Isacoff, B. K. Kobilka. Step-wise activation of a metabotropic glutamate receptor. Nature, 2024, April 17.
13. D. Ham, A. Inoue, J. Xu, Y. Du, K. Y. Chuang. Molecular mechanism of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 interaction with Gq. Communications Biology, 2024, Mar 23. Link to paper
14. D. Ahn, D. Provasi, N. M. Duc, J. Xu, L. S.-Estrada, A.Spasic, M. W.Yun, J. Kang, D. Gim, J. Lee, Y. Du, M. Filizola, K. Y. Chung. Gαs slow conformational transition upon GTP binding and a novel Gαs regulator. iScience. 2023 April.
15. D. Yuan, Z. Liu, J. Kaindl, S. Maeda, J. Zhao, X. Sun, J. Xu, P. Gmeiner, H. Wang, B. K. Kobilka.? Activation of the α2B adrenergic receptor by the sedative sympatholytic dexmedetomidine. Nature Chemical Biology. 2020 March 09.
16. S. Maeda, J. Xu, F. M. N. Kadji, M. J. Clark, J. Zhao, N. Tsutsumi, R. K. Sunahara, A. Inoue, K. C. Garcia, B. K. Kobilka. Structure and selectivity engineering of the M1 muscarinic receptor toxin complex. Science. 2020 July 10.
17. X. Ma, Y. Hu, X. Niu, H. Li, J. Heng, J. Xu, X. Liu, C. Jin, B. K. Kobilka. Analysis of β2AR-Gs and β2AR-Gi complex formation by NMR spectroscopy. PNAS. 2020 Aug 31.
18. M. Korczynska, M. J. Clark, C. Valant, J. Xu, E. V. Moo, S. Albold, D. R. Weiss, H. Torosyan, W. Huang, A. C. Kruse, B. R. Lyda, L. T. May, J. Baltos, P. M. Sexton, B. K. Kobilka, A. Christopoulos, B. K. Shoichet, and R. K. Sunahara. Structure-based discovery of selective positive allosteric modulators of antagonists for the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. PNAS. 2018 Feb 16.