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We study sensory neurobiology, identifying the receptors and neural circuits for sensation and interoception, and investigating their working mechanisms and the relationship to diseases in the sensory system.

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Zhiqiang Yan

Zhiqiang Yan

Professor and Dean

School of Basic Medical Sciences

Capital Medical University, China

Investigator and Director

Chinese Institute for Medical Physiology

Chinese Institutes for Medical Research,

Beijing, China

Introduction

Dr. Zhiqiang Yan is a professor and dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Capital Medical University, as well as an investigator and director at the Institute for Medical Physiology, Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing. He earned his bachelor's degree from Fudan University in 2004 and completed his Ph.D. in neurobiology at the Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, and the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from 2004 to 2009. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Yan conducted his postdoctoral research under the mentorship of Academicians Yuh-Nung Jan and Lily Jan at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of California, San Francisco. In 2013, he became a professor at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University. From 2020 to 2024, he served as a senior principal investigator and deputy director at the Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory. Dr. Yan studies sensory neurobiology, focuses on identifying the receptors and neural circuits for sensation and interoception, studies their working mechanism and related the diseases in sensory system. He has published numerous papers as a corresponding author in high-impact journals, including Neuron, PNAS, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Nature Communications, and Cell Reports.

Biography

Work Experience
2024 - Present
Investigator and Director
Chinese Institute for Medical Physiology, Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing
2024 - Present
Professor and Dean
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University
2020 - 2024
Senior Investigator and Deputy Director
Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory
2013 - 2020
Professor
Fudan University
2009 - 2013
Postdoctoral Researcher
HHMI & UCSF
Educational Background
2004 - 2009
Ph.D.
Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing & Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2000 - 2004
B.S.
Fudan University
Awards
2010 - 2013
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Long-term Fellowship
2014
The Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar of Shanghai)
2014
The Shanghai Rising-Star Program

Research

We study sensory neurobiology, identify the receptors and neural circuits for sensation and interoception, study their working mechanism, and relate them to diseases in the sensory system.

1. Identify the receptors for hearing, touch, pain, and thirst sensation, study the gating and assembly of the related sensory transduction complex, and explore their functions in various physiological processes, such as digestion and immunity.

Related publications:

  • W. Zou#, S. Deng#, X. Chen#, J. Ruan#, H. Wang, W. Zhan, J. Wang, Z. Liu, Z. Yan*. TMEM63B functions as a mammalian hyperosmolar sensor for thirst. Neuron,2025,113(9):1430-144
  • S.Fu#, X. Pan#, M. Lu#, J. Dong, Z. Yan*. Human TMC1 and TMC2 are mechanically gated ion channels. Neuron,2025,113(9):1430-1445
  • S. Li, B. Li, L. Gao, J. Wang, Z. Yan*. Humidity response in Drosophila olfactory sensory neurons requires the mechanosensitive channel TMEM63. Nature Communications2022, 13(1): 381.
  • B. Li#, S. Li#, H. Zheng, Z. Yan*. Nanchung and Inactive define pore properties of the native auditory transduction channel in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2021,118 (49) e2106459118.
  • Wang#, Y. Guo#, G. Li, C. Liu, L. Wang, A. Zhang, Z. Yan*, C. Song*. The Push-to-Open Mechanism of the Tethered Mechanosensitive Ion Channel NompC. eLife,2021,10:e58388.
  • Y. Jia#, Y. Zhao#, T. Kusakizako#, Y. Wang, C. Pan, Y. Zhang, O. Nureki*, M. Hattori*, Z. Yan*. TMC1 and TMC2 proteins are pore-forming subunits of mechanosensitive ion channels. Neuron,2020, 105, 310–321.
  • M. Zhang, D. Wang, Y. Kang, J.X. Wu, F. Yao, C. Pan, Z. Yan*, C. Song*, L. Chen*. Structure of the mechanosensitive OSCA channels. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2018, 25, 850–858.
  • M. Zhang#, X. Li#, H. Zheng, X. Wen, S. Chen, J. Ye, S. Tang, F. Yao, Y. Li*, Z. Yan*. Brv1 is required for Drosophila larvae to sense gentle touch. Cell Reports, 2018, 23, 23-31.
  • Z. Yan#, W. Zhang#, Y. He, D. Gorczyca, Y. Xiang, L.E. Cheng, S. Meltzer, L.Y. Jan, Y. N. Jan*. Drosophila NompC is a mechanotransduction channel subunit for gentle touch sensation. Nature, 2013493(7431):221-225.

2. Map the critical neuronal groups and circuits for sensation and interception, such as touch, pain, vestibular, and thirst sensation.

Related publications:

  • S. Li, B. Li, L. Gao, J. Wang, Z. Yan*. Humidity response in Drosophila olfactory sensory neurons requires the mechanosensitive channel TMEM63. Nature Communications, 2022, 13(1): 3814.
  • W. Zhang#, Z. Yan#, B. Li, L.Y. Jan, Y. N. Jan*. Identification of motor neurons and a mechanosensitive sensory neuron in the defecation circuitry of Drosophila larvae. eLife, 2014,3:e03293.
  • Z. Yan, J. Tan, C. Qin, Y. Lu, C. Ding, M. Luo*. Precise circuitry links bilaterally symmetric olfactory maps. Neuron, 2008,58, 613–24.

3. Study pathogenic mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of congenital hearing loss.

Related publications:

  • H. Zheng#, X. Yan#, G. Li, H. Lin, S. Deng, W. Zhuang, F. Yao, Y. Lu, X. Xia, H. Yuan, L. Jin, Z. Yan*. Proactive functional classification of all possible missense single-nucleotide variants in KCNQ4. Genome Research. 2022,32:1573-1584.
  • X. Xia, Q. Zhang*, Y. Jia, Y. Shu, J. Yang, H. Yang, Z. Yan*. Molecular basis and restoration of function deficiencies of Kv7.4 variants associated with inherited hearing loss. Hearing Research, 2020,388.

感觉神经生物学实验室:

长期致力于感觉神经生物学,综合运用分子生物学、蛋白相互作用和结构分析,电生理记录、神经回路的光遗传、化学遗传和成像等技术手段,结合药物筛选和基因编辑小鼠模型,研究听觉、触觉等感觉受体的鉴定和工作机制研究,感觉系统神经回路,以及感觉系统疾病的机理和治疗,并探索这些感觉受体在其他重要生理功能中的作用。

  1. 听觉、触觉、痛觉、湿度感觉、渴觉等感觉受体的鉴定、其装配和工作机制研究,以及这些受体在其他重要生理过程中的作用,例如消化和免疫反应。
  2. 鉴定在触觉、痛觉、平衡觉、听觉、渴觉、内脏感觉等的关键神经细胞群和神经回路。
  3. 研究遗传性耳聋的的致病机理、诊断以及基因治疗。

Publications

2025

W. Zou#, S. Deng#, X. Chen#, J. Ruan#, H. Wang, W. Zhan, J. Wang, Z. Liu, Z. Yan*. TMEM63B functions as a mammalian hyperosmolar sensor for thirst. Neuron,2025,113(9):1430-1445

S.Fu#, X. Pan#, M. Lu#, J. Dong, Z. Yan*. Human TMC1 and TMC2 are mechanically gated ion channels. Neuron, 2025,113(3):411-425

2024

Y. Zhang#, Y. Xue#, Y. Ma, X. Du, B. Lu*, Y. Wang*, Z. Yan*. Improved classification and pathogenicity assessment by comprehensive functional studies in a large data set of KCNQ2 variants. Life Sciences,2024,339:122378

2022

H. Zheng#, X. Yan#, G. Li, H. Lin, S. Deng, W. Zhuang, F. Yao, Y. Lu, X. Xia, H. Yuan, L. Jin, Z. Yan*. Proactive functional classification of all possible missense single-nucleotide variants in KCNQ4. Genome Research,2022,32:1573-1584.

S. Li, B. Li, L. Gao, J. Wang, Z. Yan*. Humidity response in Drosophila olfactory sensory neurons requires the mechanosensitive channel TMEM63. Nature Communications, 2022, 13(1): 3814.

2021

B. Li#, S. Li#, H. Zheng, Z. Yan*. Nanchung and Inactive define pore properties of the native auditory transduction channel in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2021,118 (49) e2106459118.

Y. Wang#, Y. Guo#, G. Li, C. Liu, L. Wang, A. Zhang, Z. Yan*, C. Song*. The Push-to-Open Mechanism of the Tethered Mechanosensitive Ion Channel NompC. eLife, 2021,10:e58388.

W. Zhuang, Z. Yan*. The S2-S3 Loop of Kv7.4 Channels Is Essential for Calmodulin Regulation of Channel Activation, Frontiers in Physiology, 2021, 11:604134.

B. Li, S. Li, Z. Yan*. Axonemal Dynein DNAH5 is Required for Sound Sensation in Drosophila Larvae. Neuroscience Bulletin, 2021,37(4):523-534

2020

Y. Jia#, Y. Zhao#, T. Kusakizako#, Y. Wang, C. Pan, Y. Zhang, O. Nureki*, M. Hattori*, Z. Yan*. TMC1 and TMC2 proteins are pore-forming subunits of mechanosensitive ion channels. Neuron, 2020, 105, 310–321.

X. Xia, Q. Zhang*, Y. Jia, Y. Shu, J. Yang, H. Yang, Z. Yan*. Molecular basis and restoration of function deficiencies of Kv7.4 variants associated with inherited hearing loss, Hearing Research, 2020, 388.

2018

M. Zhang, D. Wang, Y. Kang, J.X. Wu, F. Yao, C. Pan, Z. Yan*, C. Song*, L. Chen*. Structure of the mechanosensitive OSCA channels. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2018, 25, 850–858.

M. Zhang#, X. Li#, H. Zheng, X. Wen, S. Chen, J. Ye, S. Tang, F. Yao, Y. Li*, Z. Yan*. Brv1 is required for Drosophila larvae to sense gentle touch. Cell Reports, 2018, 23, 23-31.

Y. Sun, Y. Jia, Y. Guo, F. Chen*, Z. Yan*. Taurine transporter dEAAT2 is required for auditory transduction in Drosophila. Neuroscience Bulletin, 2018, 34(6), 939–950.

2017

A. Tomita#, M. Zhang#, F. Jin#, W. Zhuang, H. Takeda, T. Maruyama, M. Osawa, K. Hashimoto, H. Kawasaki, K. Ito, N. Dohmae, R. Ishitani, I. Shimada, Z. Yan*, M. Hattori* & O. Nureki*. ATP-dependent modulation of MgtE in Mg2+ homeostasis. Nature Communications, 2017, 8, 148.

2014

W. Zhang#, Z. Yan#, B. Li, L.Y. Jan, Y. N. Jan*. Identification of motor neurons and a mechanosensitive sensory neuron in the defecation circuitry of Drosophila larvae. eLife, 2014, 3, e03293.

2013

Z. Yan#, W. Zhang#, Y. He, D. Gorczyca, Y. Xiang, L.E. Cheng, S. Meltzer, L.Y. Jan, Y. N. Jan*. Drosophila NompC is a mechanotransduction channel subunit for gentle touch sensation. Nature, 2013, 493, 221–5.

2008

Z. Yan, J. Tan, C. Qin, Y. Lu, C. Ding, M. Luo*. Precise circuitry links bilaterally symmetric olfactory maps. Neuron, 2008, 58, 613–24.

Lab Members

Join Our Team

课题组简介

闫致强,首都医科大学基础医学院教授、院长,首都医学科学创新中心医学生理学研究所资深研究员、所长。2004年获复旦大学学士学位, 2004-2009年分别于中国科学院神经科学研究所、北京生命科学研究所以及中科院生物物理研究所进行博士研究并获得博士学位。2009-2013加州大学旧金山分校及霍华德•休斯医学研究所师从著美国科学院院士詹裕农,叶公杼 (Yuh-Nung Jan,Lily Jan)进行博士后研究。2013-2020年任复旦大学生命科学学院研究员、 博士生导师,2020-2024年任深圳湾实验室分子生理所资深研究员、副所长。长期致力于感觉神经生物学,尤其是听觉、触觉、渴觉等感觉受体的鉴定和门控机理研究,感觉系统神经回路,以及感觉系统疾病的机理和治疗。以通讯作者在Neuron、PNAS、Nature Structural & Molecular Biology、Nature Communications 和Cell Reports 等国际高水平杂志发表多篇论文。

Dr. Zhiqiang Yan is a professor and dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Capital Medical University, as well as an investigator and director at the Institute for Medical Physiology, Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing. He earned his bachelor's degree from Fudan University in 2004 and completed his Ph.D. in neurobiology at the Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, and the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from 2004 to 2009. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Yan conducted his postdoctoral research under the mentorship of Academicians Yuh-Nung Jan and Lily Jan at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of California, San Francisco. In 2013, he became a professor at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University. From 2020 to 2024, he served as a senior principal investigator and deputy director at the Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory. Dr. Yan studies sensory neurobiology, focuses on identifying the receptors and neural circuits for sensation and interoception, studies their working mechanism and related the diseases in sensory system. He has published numerous papers as a corresponding author in high-impact journals, including Neuron, PNAS, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Nature Communications, and Cell Reports.

课题组研究方向

闫致强实验室长期从事感觉神经生物学的研究,综合运用分子生物学、蛋白相互作用和结构分析、电生理记录、神经回路的光遗传、化学遗传和成像等技术手段,结合药物筛选和基因编辑小鼠模型,进行听觉、触觉、渴觉等感觉受体的鉴定和工作机制研究,感觉系统神经回路,以及感觉系统疾病的机理和治疗,并探索这些感觉受体在其他重要生理功能中的作用。

  • 听觉、触觉、痛觉、湿度感觉、渴觉等感觉受体的鉴定,其装配和工作机制研究,以及这些受体在其他重要生理过程中的作用,例如消化和免疫反应。
  • 解析感觉受体离子通道及其复合物的蛋白结构、分析离子通透性和门控机制等。
  • 鉴定在触觉、痛觉、平衡觉、听觉、渴觉、内脏感觉等的关键神经细胞群和神经回路。
  • 研究遗传性耳聋的致病机理、诊断以及基因治疗。

Research direction:

We study sensory neurobiology, focusing on identifying the receptors and neural circuits for sensation and interoception, studying their working mechanism, and relating the diseases in the sensory system.

  • Identify the receptors for hearing, touch, pain, and thirst sensation, study the gating and assembly of the related sensory transduction complex, and explore their functions in various physiological processes, such as digestion and immunity.
  • Analysis of the protein structures of sensory receptor ion channels and their complexes, as well as the examination of ion permeability and gating mechanisms.
  • Map the critical neuronal groups and circuits for sensation and interoception, such as touch, pain, vestibular, and thirst sensation.
  • Study the pathogenic mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of congenital hearing loss.

招聘专业背景

因课题组科研工作需要,诚招神经生物学、分子生物学与生物化学、生理学、细胞生物学、结构生物学、药物化学等生物医学研究相关专业背景的人员,实验室十分欢迎多学科专业融合发展。

We are looking for aspiring young people with professional backgrounds in neurobiology, molecular biology and biochemistry, cell biology, structural biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, etc. are sincerely invited. The laboratory welcomes the integration and development of multi-disciplinary specialties.

招聘岗位介绍

博士研究生 / 硕士研究生(Ph.D. and Master's Students)

课题组长期招收硕士、博士研究生,欢迎大家报考(首都医科大学或首都医学科学创新中心)。

The research group is recruiting long-term master's and doctoral students. Welcome to apply for admission (Capital Medical University or Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing).

博士后(Postdoctoral Researcher)

在课题组组长指导下开展科研工作,同时欢迎优秀博士后自带课题加入课题组开展合作;支持其申请国家自然科学基金及省、市各级项目。

博士后可根据自身博士研究方向从事对应的研究,如神经生物学研究方向:感觉受体和感觉神经回路的鉴定及功能研究;分子生物学与生物化学、细胞生物学研究方向:以 TMC 为核心的听觉转导复合物的组分鉴定和组装机制研究;结构生物学研究方向:感觉受体离子通道及其复合物包括 TMC,TMEM63 的结构、离子通透性和门控机制分析;生理学研究方向:新型离子通道 TMEM63 家族,TMC 家族 1-8 的生理功能分析;药物化学研究方向:感觉系统疾病包括耳鸣、遗传性耳聋等的治疗和药物开发。

Carry out scientific research under the guidance of the leader of the research group, and welcome outstanding postdoctoral researchers to bring their own topics to the research group for cooperation; Support its application for National Natural Science Foundation of China and projects at provincial and municipal levels.

副研究员 / 助理研究员(Associate Research Fellow / Assistant Research Fellow)

在课题组组长指导下开展科研工作,同时欢迎自带课题加入课题组开展合作;支持其申请国家自然科学基金及省、市各级项目。

助理研究员、副研究员可根据自身博士研究方向和工作研究背景从事对应的研究,如神经生物学研究方向:感觉受体和感觉神经回路的鉴定及功能研究;分子生物学与生物化学、细胞生物学研究方向:以 TMC 为核心的听觉转导复合物的组分鉴定和组装机制研究;结构生物学研究方向:感觉受体离子通道及其复合物包括 TMC,TMEM63 的结构、离子通透性和门控机制分析;生理学研究方向:新型离子通道 TMEM63 家族,TMC 家族 1-8 的生理功能分析;药物化学研究方向:感觉系统疾病包括耳鸣、遗传性耳聋等的治疗和药物开发。

Carry out scientific research under the guidance of the leader of the research group, and welcome researchers to bring their own topics to the research group for cooperation; Support its application for National Natural Science Foundation of China and projects at provincial and municipal levels.

研究助理(Research Assistant)

完成课题组组长安排的实验任务,协助处理实验室行政事务,研究助理表现优秀者可推荐攻读硕士、博士项目。

Aim to complete the experimental tasks assigned by the group leader and assist in handling laboratory administrative affairs. If you perform well, you can be recommended to study for a master's or doctoral degree.

技术员(Technician)

完成实验室安排的日常实验,负责维护实验室日常工作和行政事务。

Aim to complete the experimental tasks assigned by the group leader and responsible for maintaining the daily operations and administrative affairs of the laboratory.

实验室管理员(Laboratory Manager)

本科学历及以上,生命科学、医学等相关专业;具有良好的沟通能力和团队协作能力;熟悉各种日常办公软件;有实验室工作经验或管理经验者优先考虑。负责协助实验室日常管理和维护工作,包括实验试剂及耗材管理、实验仪器设备维护、实验室卫生管理等;协助项目经费管理和费用报销工作;协助实验室安全管理工作,危化品管理以及特种设备的使用和实验材料灭菌等;负责和监控实验动物的饲养管理工作。

Have a bachelor's degree or above in life science or medicine-related majors. Have excellent communication and teamwork skills. Familiar with daily office software. Priority will be given to applicants with laboratory management experience. Assist in the daily management and maintenance of the laboratory, including the management of experimental reagents and consumables, the maintenance of experimental equipment, and the management of laboratory hygiene; assist in the management of project funds and expense reimbursement work; assist in the safety management of the laboratory, the management of hazardous chemicals, the use of special equipment, and the sterilization of experimental materials; be responsible for and monitor the breeding and management of laboratory animals.

福利待遇

  • 根据应聘者的工作经验和能力,提供具有市场竞争力的薪酬(详情面谈);
  • 提供良好的科研工作环境,尖端的技术支撑平台;
  • 协助申请国家级、地方级人才项目和人才奖励;
  • 支持个人职业发展,提供必要的工作相关专业培训;
  • 享受五险一金、带薪年假、体检和补充医疗保险等。

Qualified candidates will receive an internationally competitive salary, state-of-the-art core facilities. Assistance will be provided in applying for national and regional talent awards and subsidies. Supporting personal career development and providing necessary job-related professional training. Other benefits include Social insurance, paid annual leave, physical examination, and supplementary medical insurance, etc.

应聘方法

应聘者请提供以下 PDF 版材料:

  • 个人简历及代表性科研成果;
  • 科研兴趣或计划;
  • 其它能够证明科研能力的材料。

(1)Curriculum vitae, including lists of publications and research funding;(2)Research interest or plan;(3)Other materials that can prove scientific research ability.

请应聘者将上述材料,统一成 PDF 文件发送至:yan_lab@cimrbj.ac.cn(邮件主题:应聘者姓名 + 应聘职位)。

YAN LAB

This is the Research Group of

Zhiqiang YAN.

Studying the Molecular and Circuitry Basis of Sensory Perception.

RECRUITMENT

The group welcomes applications from prospective postdocs and students.

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LOCATION

Capital Medical University & Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing

Beijing No. 10, Xi Toutiao, outside You'anmen, Fengtai District, Beijing, China

© 2025 Yan Lab. All rights reserved.