Zhao Wang

Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Wang's research focus, first and foremost, is on gaining a deeper understanding of biological nano-machines by CryoEM/CryoET techniques and computer reconstruction, and the use of structures to reveal their structure-based functional mechanisms. Electron microscopy has been one of the primary techniques used for his studies and structural studies of macromolecular complex structures has been a keystone of his scientific career when he joined National Center for Macromolecular Imaging (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX) as a Research Associate. Dr. Wang h published numerous important structures, including the first structures of nuclear receptor coactivator complexes, multidrug efflux pumps, and several ion channels. I pioneered using the first direct electron detection device (DDD), a newly designed equipment that enables a ‘resolution revolution’ in single-particle CryoEM and I am developing a novel protocol of data collation and processing using this camera. His group's work first developed the ‘damage compensation’ analysis strategy, which is now commonly used by the EM community. Having a broad background in biochemistry and structural biology, with specific training and expertise in CryoEM of membrane proteins, Dr. Wang started as an independent investigator at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX) in 2018. He trained in experimental & computational biophysics, with his laboratory research involving the development of experimental and computational methodologies for CryoEM/CryoET, and applications for research of the following biological systems: Firstly, the structure, assembly, and mechanism of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-superfamily of efflux pumps; Secondly, the structures of nuclear receptors and co-activators, which have great relevance to genetic and reproductive diseases, disorders of metabolism and diabetes, and cancers; and Lastly, cation ion channels involving many critical functions such as IP3R and TRPV.