Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal profile
Professor Zhiliang Lu is a recipient of the Leading Sci-Edu Talents of the SIP Jinji Lake Double Hundred Talents. Following an undergraduate study in Pharmaceutical Sciences, he pursued an MSc in Pharmacology both at Zhejiang University. He then obtained his PhD degree in Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in1990 where he started to work on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), major cell surface drug targets. Following his appointment to a Lecturer (1991-1992) and an Associate Professor (1992-1995) at the Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, Zhejiang University, he rapidly established his own research lab focusing on the structure-function relationships of GPCRs and their cell signalling. He is a supervisor of MRes and PhD students. His research was well funded by national grants such as National Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Professor Lu was awarded a Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship (1995-1997) at the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR, now Francis Crick Institute). He was then awarded an MRC appointment as a Band 3 senior scientist (1997-2001), where he retained his research interest on GPCRs. Following his research success at NIMR, he was offered an MRC Programme Leader Track position (2001-2007) at MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in the University of Edinburgh, and was then promoted to the Tenured Programme Leader in 2007. Professor Lu continues his research on GPCRs and cell signalling in neurons, reproduction, metablism and cancers funded by NSFC and XJTLU research development funds after he joined XJTLU in 2011. He is also interested in cell signaling control of mRNA methylation in pathophysiology. Professor Lu has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications and book chapters. He is an honorary Professor and PhD supervisor of the University of Liverpool.
Research interests
Ligand-induced selective signalling of GPCRs in neurons, metablism and cancer.
Gene and cell control of mRNA methylation in carcinogenesis.
Development and application of the state-of-art NanoBRET technology in protein-protein or protein-ligand interaction and high throughput drug screening.
Experience
Professor of Academy of Life and Natural Sciences (2026, 09-)
Deputy HoD of the Department of Biosciences and Bioinfromatics, School of Science (2022-2026)
Research Director of School of Science, XJTLU (2021-22)
Professor of the Department of Biosciences and Bioinfromatics, XJTLU, 2011-
Tenured Programme Leader, MRC HRSU, Edinburgh University, 2007 – 2011.
Programme Leader Track, MRC, HRSU, Edinburgh University, 2001 – 2007.
Senior Scientist, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, 1997 - 2001
Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship, MRC NIMR, 1995 – 1997.
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, Zhejiang University, 1992-1995.
Lecturer, Deaprtment of Biological Sciences and Technology, Zhejiang University, 1991 – 1992.
Teaching
BIO406 (MRes Research Project)
BIO407 (MRes Research Project)
BIO301 Biology of Disease (Biochemistry of Disease and Cancer Biology, Year 4), 2011-present.
BIO208 Cell Signalling (Year 3), 2011-present.
BIO303 Final Year Project (Year4), Coordinator, 2011-2013 and 2014-2018.
BIO302 Biochemical Messengers (Year 4), 2011-2017.
BIO111 Key Skills for Life Scientists (Year 2), 2011-13.
Awards and honours
2011 Jinji Lake 200 Talent Programme, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP金鸡湖双百人才计划 - 科教领军人才)
1994 Excellent Young Teacher, Zhejiang University (浙江大学优秀青年教师)
1993 Yilida Excellent Teacher, Zhejiang University (浙江大学亿利达优秀教师奖)
1993 Supervisor of PhD students, Zhejiang University
1992 Excellent paper, The Science and Technology Association of Zhejiang Province (浙江省科协优秀论奖)
1992 Excellent Award in Science & Technology, Zhejiang University (浙江大学科学技术奖)
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D (Medicine), Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China, Medicine, 1990
M.Sc (Medicne), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, Pharmacology, 1987
B.Sc (Medicine), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, Pharmacy, 1984
External positions
Visiting Professor, Taihe Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine
1 May 2025 → 30 Apr 2028
Research areas
- Biomedical sciences
- Cell signalling and neuroscience
- mRNA modifications
- Oncogene and cancer
- G protein-coupled receptors
Person Types
- Staff
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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The development of a tumor microenvironment microbiota marker discovery platform based on multi-omics technology
Lu, Z. (PI), Tong, X. (Team member), Meng, J. (Team member) & Rong, R. (Team member)
1/05/26 → 30/04/29
Project: Collaborative Research Project
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Investigation on immune characteristices and precise classification of triple-negative breast cancer
Rong, R. (PI), Lu, Z. (CoI) & Meng, J. (CoI)
17/03/25 → 16/03/28
Project: Collaborative Research Project
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Roles of Lac-Phe and G proteins inthe regulation of m6A mRNA methylation
Lu, Z. (PI)
1/03/24 → 31/12/28
Project: Internal Research Project
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Alanine scanning mutagenesis studies of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
Lu, Z. (PI)
1/05/95 → 30/04/97
Project: Governmental Research Project
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Effects of polysaccharides from Chinese herbs on the beta-adrenergic receptor-cAMP signalling cascade in immune cells
Lu, Z. (PI)
1/01/94 → 31/12/96
Project: Governmental Research Project
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Deep brain stimulation and neuroimmune mechanisms in major depressive disorder
Zhou, L., Saw, Y. L., Aquili, L., Kocabicak, E., Temel, Y., Zhang, Y., Lu, J.-T., Kaluev, A., Lu, Z., Tang, X. & Lim, L. W., 30 Aug 2026, In: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 149, 111851.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
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Development of a novel NanoBRET high-throughput drug screening assay for human GnRH receptor using sulfo-cyanine 5 fluorophore
Shen, L., Du, X., Yang, Y., Su, M., Rong, R., Meng, J., Lim, L. W., Fernig, D. & Lu, Z., Feb 2026, In: Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. 16, 2, 15 p., 101532.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Inhibition of VEGF165-Induced Angiogenesis by Gold Nanoparticles through HQGQH as the Primary Binding Site: Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling
Wan, J., Zhou, Y., Zhu, J., Lu, Y., Lyu, Y., Hao, H., Lu, Z., Duckworth, C. A., Liu, Y., Zhou, H., Yi, Y., Chan, K. C. & Huang, X., 17 Apr 2026, In: Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Melatonin ameliorates behavioral deficits in 5xFAD mice through modulation of neurogenesis, neuroimmune responses, neurotransmission, and metabolic pathways
Roy, J., Tsui, K. C., Poon, C. H., Zhang, J., Lai, Y., Wong, K. Y., Mihardja, M., Tse, V., Li, P. C., Au, C., Ng, J., Kocabicak, E., Aquili, L., Wong, K. H., Lu, Z., Temel, Y., Fung, M.-L. & Lim, L. W., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Roles of Small G protein Ras in regulating mRNA m6A methylation
Yang, Y., Zhao, X., Xing, R., Zheng, L., Rong, R., Meng, J. & Lu, Z., 22 May 2026, p. 48.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Activities
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The mechanistic role o f m6A readers in KRAS G12V-driven oncogenic signalling
Lu, Z. (Supervisor)
1 Jun 2026 → 30 Aug 2026Activity: Supervision › Completed SURF Project
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Roles of Small G protein Ras in regulating mRNA m6A methylation
Yang, Y. (Speaker), Zhao, X. (Speaker), Xin, R. (Speaker), Zheng, L. (Speaker), Rong, R. (Speaker), Meng, J. (Speaker) & Lu, Z. (Speaker)
22 May 2026 → 26 May 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar
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Targeting SLC12A9: A Potential Strategy for Modulating Ammonia Metabolism in Liver Cancer
Dai, W. (Supervisor) & Lu, Z. (Co-supervisor)
1 Sept 2025 → 31 Aug 2029Activity: Supervision › PhD Supervision