Guisheng Zhong

Zhong Guisheng’s group research interest lies in two main areas:1) The structure and function of G protein coupled receptors(GPCRs) and cytoskeleton in many types of cells and tissues. 2)The function of natural compounds with a focus in cardiac andcancer cells. GPCRs are responsible for about 80% of cell surfacesignal transduction, play important roles in many physiologicalactivities and are related to many diseases. The cytoskeleton isan important component inside cells, and its functions includemechanical support, cell motility, protein trafficking, organelleorganization, cytokinesis, membrane compartmentation and otherfunctions as well. However, the cellular structure of GPCRs orcytoskeletons are not well understood due to labeling speci citiesand the spatial resolution of conventional optic microscopy.Thus, our first experimental goal is to dissect the structure andfunction of GPCRs and cytoskeletons with newly developedimaging methods, such as super-resolution  uorescence imagingmicroscope. Our second experimental goal is toward translationalstudies with a focus in the function of natural compounds. Duringthe past 30 years, natural products have inspired the discoveryof 60% of the approved drugs. Our group is collaborating withthe Academy of Chinese Botany at Kunming to screen potential candidates showing the capability to inhibit the cancer growing or to increase the function of cardiac cells. The long term of the research will be investigate the structural basis of GPCRs' function and the mechanism of how GPCRs interact with cytoskeletons.