Dr. Cheng Zhu

Biography

Cheng Zhu is a Regents' Professor and holds the J. Erskine Love Jr. Endowed Chair at the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. He serves as the Executive Director of International Programs in the same department. His research focuses on cellular and molecular biomechanics, particularly the adhesion signaling molecules involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation. His primary investigations center around early cell surface interactions and the kinetics of primary signaling responses which are crucial for determining how cells respond to contacts from other cells. His work spans single molecule interaction studies using techniques such as atomic force microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and biomembrane force probe assays, along with single cell studies employing micropipette adhesion assays and real-time fluorescence imaging techniques. His laboratory also investigates T cell receptors, selectins, integrins, and their respective ligands on cell surface molecules. By understanding the initial interactions between these molecules and the subsequent early signaling processes, the research aims to elucidate response mechanisms in physiological systems, with potential medical applications in areas such as autoimmunity, allergy, transplant rejection, and thrombotic disorders.

Research Interests