Education

2003, B.Sc., Wuhan University;

2008, Ph.D., Shanghai Institutes for Biological Science, Chinese Academy Science.

Professional Experience

2008-2009, Assistant Investigator, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Science, Chinese Academy Science;

2009-2014, Postdoctoral Fellow, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA;

2014-Present, Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University.

Research Area

Our laboratory studies the functions of nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking during body development and antiviral defense. mRNA is transcribed in nucleus and transported to cytoplasm for translation. Proteins such as transcription factors need to be transported into nucleus to exert their functions. The trafficking of proteins and mRNA into and out of nucleus occurs through Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC). We mainly focus on whether and how nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking regulates body development and innate immunity.

Selected Publications

1. Sharon K.Kuss, Miguel A.Mata, Liang Zhang, BeatrizM.Fontoura (2013) Nuclear Imprisonment: viral strategies to arrest host mRNA nuclear export. Viruses2013, 5(7), 1824-49

2. Priyarata Das, Xiaoyi Deng, Liang Zhang, Michael G.Roth, Beatriz M.A. Fontoura, Margaret A. Phillips and Jef K. De Brabander (2013) SAR-based optimization of a 4-Quinoline Carboxylic Acid Analog with Potent Antiviral Activity. ACS Medicinal Chemistry LettersApril 24, 2013 4(6):517-521

3. Mo W, Chen J, Patel A, Zhang L, Chau V, Li Y, Cho W, Lim K, Xu J, Lazar AJ, Creighton CJ, Bolshakov S, Mckay RM, Lev D, Le LQ, Parada LF (2013) CXCR4/ CXCL12 mediate autocrine cell cycle progression in NF1- associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Cell 152(5):1077-90.

4. ZhangL, Das P, Schmolke M, Manicassamy B, Wang Y, Deng X, Cai L, Tu BP, Forst CV, Roth MG, Levy DE, García-Sastre A, de Brabander J, Phillips MA, Fontoura BM. (2012) Inhibition of pyrimidine synthesis reverses viral virulence factor-mediated block of mRNA nuclear export. Journal of Cell Biology; 196(3):315-26 Featured and highlighted by Journal of Cell Biology Feb, 2012