‘As whispers of curiosity turn into the language of discovery, we journey into the realm of neuroscience, paving the way for scientific breakthroughs in neuronal development, degeneration, and evolution.’
Professor Chaogu ZHENGAssistant Professor of the School of Biological Sciences
- 2021 NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau)
- 2016 Peter Sajovic Memorial Prize, Columbia University
- 2015 Kavli Award for Distinguished Research in Neuroscience, Columbia University
Research Interests:
Neuronal cell fate determination and subtype differentiation; the mechanisms of synaptogenesis and neural circuit assembly; neurite growth and axon regeneration; Regulation of microtubule dynamics; modelling of neurodegenerative diseases; genomic change in the evolution of neuronal diversity; development of new tools in genetic engineering.
In an era marked by the rise of neurodegenerative diseases and the quest to replicate human cognition in artificial intelligence, the mystery of nervous system development remains a major challenge. Professor Chaogu Zheng, a pioneering young scientist from the School of Biological Sciences, threads his way through this complex realm of nervous system development and degeneration with his research.
Zheng’s remarkable exploration into neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, and evolutionary genomics has shed light on key genetic mechanisms that control how neurons differentiate. Among his notable contributions is his detailed investigation into the development of mechanosensory neurons, also known as Touch Receptor Neurons, revealing insights with unprecedented precision. Equally significant is his systematic quest to identify bacteria-derived molecules that can modulate neuronal health in the context of Parkinson’s disease. Through these significant discoveries, Zheng’s research is paving the way for promising advancements in treating neurodegenerative diseases and a deeper understanding of nervous system evolution.
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)
Translating Neural Research into Solutions
Zheng’s laboratory is pursuing several exciting research directions, with one impactful focus on investigating the genetic control of nervous system development. He employs the powerful model organism C. elegans as his primary research tool, leveraging its simple yet informative nervous system to tackle complex neurological questions. This approach allows his team to conduct detailed genetic analyses and observe neuronal development at the single-cell level – a level of precision that would be challenging to achieve in more complex organisms. Through this approach, they can track the development of neurons from their birth to their final differentiated state across an entire nervous system. His research offers important insights into neural development and paves the way to decoding the complexity of the human brain's 80 billion neurons and 100 trillion synaptic connections.
Another impactful research programme from Zheng’s laboratory focuses on deciphering the molecular basis of the microbiota-gut-brain connection in modulating neurodegeneration. This new avenue of research has led to the identification of several microbial molecules that influence neuronal health in Parkinson’s disease models. The discovery of such pro-neurodegenerative bacterial components could open new avenues for developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative disease by targeting gut bacteria.
Bridging Research and Society
While acknowledging the challenges of translating basic research into immediate public benefit, Zheng emphasises the crucial role of fundamental research in enabling future breakthroughs.
‘Without the hard work of building the foundation for a discipline, applied research is just impossible. We learn a great deal about human biology by studying other organisms because the underlying principle of biology is often conserved throughout evolution. In this sense, all organisms should be studied, as we simply cannot predict where the next breakthrough will come from. The fact that the powerful CRISPR gene-editing tool came from studying bacterial self-defence is a great example,’ Zheng notes.
His work exemplifies this philosophy, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases, where his team’s identification of bacterial components could one day lead to new drug targets. Furthermore, his research on neural circuit assembly and organisation has potential applications in improving the construction of neural networks in computer science. These insights demonstrate how seemingly abstract research can ultimately yield practical applications with meaningful societal impact.
Charting Future Directions
The interdisciplinary approach to understanding the nervous system’s complexities paints a picture of a sustainable future rooted in scientific exploration and innovative thinking. With a vision extending beyond his research, Zheng is also committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and fostering an environment of independent thinking and ambitious aspirations. By charting his own path forward, he is also laying a solid foundation for future scientific leaders to build upon. This harmonious blend of innovative research and inspirational mentorship promises a future where the whispers of curiosity are amplified into a language of discovery, celebrated and carried forward to shape new frontiers.
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