Dr. Lianzheng Zhao, Ph.D.

Distinguished Researcher, PhD Supervisor, Developmental/Cell Biology

School of Basic Medical Sciences

Nanchang University

zlz20@tsinghua.org.cn

Education

 2020-2024: Ph. D. Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

 2017-2020: M.Sc. Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

 2012-2016: B.Sc. Biotechnology, School of Ecological and Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China

Professional Experiences

 2026-present: Distinguished Researcher, PhD Supervisor, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, China

 2024-2026: Postdoc, Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Research Interests

Our group focuses on the embryonic gastrointestinal tract and leverages a high-resolution spatiotemporal multi-omics atlas to systematically dissect the molecular regulatory networks coordinating multicellular interactions during development. By integrating transcriptional regulation, epigenetic features and maternal factors across multiple layers, we aim to elucidate the spatiotemporal logic underlying cell fate specification, hierarchical tissue organization and key developmental events. In parallel, we develop and optimize in vitro models that more faithfully recapitulate in vivo development, including advanced organoids, assembloids and ex vivo culture systems, to reconstruct critical stages of embryonic gastrointestinal development. Ultimately, through systematic comparisons between normal and aberrant developmental programs, we seek to define the molecular origins and deviation mechanisms of congenital gastrointestinal malformations, providing a theoretical and experimental foundation for early identification and intervention in related diseases.

Publications

Lianzheng Zhao*, Wanlu Song*, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2022). Mesenchymal-epithelial interaction regulates gastrointestinal tract development in mouse embryos. Cell Reports, 40: 111053. (*co-first author)

Yonghui Shen, Chunlin Li, Hanqiong Zhang, Huidong Liu, Lianzheng Zhao#, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2026). A progenitor cell population contributes to prenatal injury repair and neonatal antimicrobial defense in the small intestine. Cell Reports, 45: 117503. (#co-corresponding author)

Lianzheng Zhao, Yuchen Xie, Wanlu Song, Yonghui Shen, Huidong Liu, Shiwen Luo, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2026). Lgr5⁺ cells regulate small intestinal morphogenesis before villification. Cell Regeneration, 15: 10.

Lianzheng Zhao, Hongwei Liao, Xiaodan Wang, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2022). DDB1 maintains intestinal homeostasis by preventing cell cycle arrest. Cell Regeneration, 11: 18.

Lianzheng Zhao, Xiaodan Wang, Kumpanat Pomlok, Hongwei Liao, Guan Yang, Xiao Yang, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2020). DDB1 promotes the proliferation and hypertrophy of chondrocytes during mouse skeleton development. Developmental Biology, 465: 100-107.

Hongwei Liao*, Xiang Li*, Lianzheng Zhao*, Yalong Wang, Xiaodan Wang, Ye Wu, Xin Zhou, Wei Fu, Lei Liu, Hong-Gang Hu#, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2020). A PROTAC peptide induces durable β-catenin degradation and suppresses Wnt-dependent intestinal cancer. Cell Discovery, 6: 35. (*co-first author)

Ting Wang*, Ning Zhang*, Shipan Fan*, Lianzheng Zhao*, Wanlu Song*, Yuhuan Gong, Quan Shen, Cheng Zhang, Peng Ren, Chutong Lin, Wei Fu, George F. Gao, Shaohua Ma#, Yuhai Bi#, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2021). Establishment of human distal lung organoids for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Discovery, 7: 108. (*co-first author)

Yalong Wang*, Hanqing Lin*, Lianzheng Zhao*, Fan Hong*, Jie Hao, Zhen Zhang, Weiqi Sheng, Linhong Song, Chu‐Xia Deng, Bing Zhao, Jiani Cao, Lei Wang, Liu Wang, Lingmin Liang, Wenli Kelly Chen, Chunping Yu, Zhijian Sun, Yingying Yang, Changlin Wang, Yong Zhang, Qiyuan Li, Ka Li, Aijin Ma#, Tongbiao Zhao#, Guoqiang Hua#, and Ye-Guang Chen#. (2023). Standard: Human intestinal organoids. Cell Regeneration, 12: 23. (*co-first author)