Yun-Feng Zhang got his Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2011. During 2011-2016, he worked as an assistant professor in School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China. As the project leader, he has successfully completed two projects: The National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (a highly competitive national award with an annual funding rate of only 20% or lower) (No.81301117) and The Wenzhou Science and Technology Plans (No.Y20140049), which are focused on decoding the neural microcircuit mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of epilepsy based on multi-neuron whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Now Yun-Feng Zhang is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His research interest now is focused on deciphering mechanisms underlying abnormal behaviours of neurological disorders (mainly depression, anxiety and epilepsy) at cellular, neural microcircuit network and behavioural levels depending on a combination of electrophysiological, optogenetics, morphological and behavioural techniques. His current studies depend on multi-neuron whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, optogenetics, 3D neuronal morphological reconstructions and behavioural assays to explore neural microcircuit properties in the mouse central nervous system.

Grant Details:

The National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (a highly competitive national award with an annual funding rate of only 20% or lower) (No.81301117) and The Wenzhou Science and Technology Plans (No.Y20140049), which are focused on decoding the neural microcircuit mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of epilepsy based on multi-neuron whole-cell patch-clamp recordings.

Professional website link:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qcBzmBgAAAAJ&hl=en

List of publications:

1. Chanyi Lu, Qi-Qin Li, Yao-Yao Li, Hua-Zhen Lin, Jia Qu, Yun Wang* and Yun-Feng Zhang*. Light deprivation produces distinct morphological orchestrations on RGCs and cortical cells in a depressive-like YFP-H mouse model. Neuroscience Letters. 2017, 659:60-68.
2. Chanyi Lu, Yao-Yao Li, Hua-Zhen Lin and Yun-Feng Zhang*. Depression: Abnormality in Neural Circuits. Annals of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2017, 5(5): 1115.
3. Zhenggwei Wen,  Chanyi Lu, Hua-Zhen Lin, Yao-Yao Li and Yun-Feng Zhang*.  A short glance at the role of olfaction in depression. Archives of Depression and Anxiety, 2017, 3(2): 055-057.
4. Chanyi Lu, Hua-Zhen Lin, Yao-Yao Li and Yun-Feng Zhang*. Making room for specific molecules in the treatment of depression. Scientific Journal of Depression & Anxiety, 2017, 1(1): 020-022.
5. Chanyi Lu, Hua-Zhen Lin, Yao-Yao Li and Yun-Feng Zhang*. Light deprivation: An efficient way in inducing depression-like behavior animal models. Research and Review Insights, 2017, 1(2): 1-3.
6. Haiyan Jiang, Mengjuan Wu, Yimei Liu, Liping Song, Shifeng Li, Xianwei Wang, Yun-Feng Zhang, Junxu Fang, Shengzhou Wu*. Serine racemase deficiency attenuates choroidal neovascularization and reduces nitric oxide and VEGF levels by retinal pigment epithelial cells. 2017. doi:10.1111/jnc.14214.
7. Chanyi Lu, Yao-Yao Li, Hua-Zhen Lin and Yun-Feng Zhang*. Taking Gender Difference Seriously in Mouse Models of Depression. International  Journal of  Animal Science, 1(1): 1003, 2017.
8. Chanyi Lu, Hua-Zhen Lin, Yao-Yao Li and Yun-Feng Zhang*. The Potentially Positive Role of Religious Involvement in Depression. BAOJ Psychology, 2017, 2: 032.
9. Yun-Feng Zhang*，Qi-Qin Li, Jia Qu, Cui-Min Sun and Yun Wang*. Alterations of motor cortical microcircuit in a depressive-like mouse model produced by light deprivation. Neuroscience, 341, 79-94, 2017.
10. Yun-Feng Zhang*. Times for the Neuroscience: Patch-Clamp Recordings and Optogenetics in Decoding Neural Circuits. EC Ophthalmology. 2016, 4 (4): 589-591.
11. Chanyi Lu, Yun Wang, Yun-Feng Zhang*. Light deprivation produces a sexual dimorphic effect on neural excitability and depression-like behavior in mice. Neuroscience Letters. 2016, 633:69-76.
12. Chanyi Lu, Qi-Qin Li, Yao-Yao Li, Yun Wang*, Yun-Feng Zhang*. A light-deprivation mouse model potentially for studying the complete congenital stationary night blindness. World Journal of Neuroscience. 2016, 6:181-183.
13. Chanyi Lu, Qi-Qin Li, Yao-Yao Li, Yun Wang*, Yun-Feng Zhang*. A short glance at the neural circuitry mechanism underlying depression. World Journal of Neuroscience. 2016, 6:184-192.
14. Yun-Feng Zhang，Li-Xiong Liu, Hua-Teng Cao, Li Ou, Jia Qu, Yun Wang* & Jie-Guang Chen*. Otx1 promotes basal dendritic growth and regulates intrinsic electrophysiological and synaptic properties of layer V pyramidal neurons in mouse motor cortex. Neuroscience, 285,139-54, 2015.
15. Yun-Feng Zhang*, Zheng-Wei Wen. The potential role of Otx1 in epileptic-like behavior mice: the “Modulator” of physiological function of layer V pyramidal neurons in the cerebral corex. Chinese Journal of Cell Biology, 37(5): 663-670, 2015.
16. Chanyi Lu, Li-Xiong Liu, Yun-Feng Zhang*. Research progress in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Academic Journal of Chinese PLA Medical School, 35(8): 876-881, 2014.
17. Yun-Feng Zhang, Ling-Qiao Huang, Feng Ge, Chen-Zhu Wang*. Tarsal taste neurons of Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) respond to sugars and amino acids, suggesting a role in feeding and oviposition. Journal of Insect Physiology, 57, 1332-1340，2011.
18. Yun-Feng Zhang, van Loon JJA, Chen-Zhu Wang*. Tarsal taste neuron activity and proboscis extension reflex in response to sugars and amino acids in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). The Journal of Experimental Biology, 213, 2889-2895，2010. 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS:

1. Yun-Feng Zhang, Chen-Zhu Wang. 2009. The characterization of the tarsal chemorecptors to sugars and amino acids and related behavioral response in Helicoverpa armigera. Platform, The second International Symposium on Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chengde, Hebei Province, China.
2. Yun-Feng Zhang, Chen-Zhu Wang. 2010. Comparison of tarsal sensilla sensitivity and learning behaviors in two Helicoverpa sibling species. Platform, The Eighth National Symposium on chemical ecology, Shanghai, China
3. Yun-Feng Zhang，Li-Xiong Liu, Hua-Teng Cao, Li Ou, Jia Qu, Yun Wang* and Jie-Guang Chen*. 2015. Otx1 promotes basal dendritic growth and regulates intrinsic electrophysiological and synaptic properties of layer V pyramidal neurons in mouse motor cortex. Poster, The 6th FAONS Congress and the 11th Biennial Conference of CNS, Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, China.