Kai Zhang

Associate Professor, Biochemistry

Areas of Research

Cellular Responses, Neurologic Disease, Signaling Processes

Research Program and Theme

Program: Cancer Engineering and Biological Systems
Theme: Anticancer Chemistry

Research Focus

Kai Zhang’s lab group studies how signal transduction regulates cell fate determination and how normal signaling processes are disrupted in disease. Using live cell imaging and optogenetic control of signal transduction, Zhang observes and perturbs signaling modules to define cellular responses. His lab’s major goal is to gain insight into signaling mechanisms that regulate critical cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis, and to apply this insight to understanding and treating neurological disorders and diseases, such as cancer. Learn more about Kai Zhang’s lab.