Overview
The Zhang research group focuses on developing new capabilities for more accurate, more sensitive, and higher throughput measurement of biomolecules, and the clinical application of proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics for comprehensive identification of disease biomarkers, and systems biological understanding of the pathogenic mechanism underlying the complex human diseases. Our research could lead to clinical assays for early diagnosis of human diseases, and effective intervention and prevention strategies for better human health. Below is a list of our research directions.
The Zhang research group has state-of-the-art tools for performing proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics. Depending on the project, students and postdocs are also exposed to a variety of other experimental techniques including microscopy, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, physical chemistry, and synthetic organic chemistry.
Current Projects
Proteomics
Temporal plasma proteomics and biomarkers of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression
Cell-specific and spatial tissue proteomics
Immunopeptidome and novel T1D autoantigens
Antimicrobial peptides and intact proteomics
Glycated proteome and diabetic complications
Lipidomics
Tissue-specific global lipidomics
High-resolution ozone-induced dissociation mass spectrometry
Advanced capabilities for intact analysis of glycosphingolipids
Glycation of lipids and diabetic complications
Metabolomics
Tryptophan catabolism
Oxylipins and inflammation
Fatty acid and energy metabolism
Chemical isotope labeling-based metabolomics