By building world-class research programs and centers, the School of Life Sciences at Westlake University strives to pursue questions fundamental to our understanding of biology and disease, and to develop enabling technologies that advance human health and civilization. The school is dedicated to cultivating future leaders in biomedical research through an emphasis on multidisciplinary training in biology, chemistry, medicine, and engineering.

The School of Life Sciences plans to establish research programs in Biophysics and Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology and Microbiology, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Chemical Biology, and other related fields.

To facilitate research and training, the School of Life Sciences has established an Advanced Biomedical Technology (ABT) Core Facility and an Animal Resources Center. The ABT Core Facility is equipped with state-of-the-art research technology; including facilities for cryo-electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, light microscopy, genomics, metabolism, bioinformatics, and high- throughput screening.

Programs

The School of Life Sciences comprises research programs in Biophysics and Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology and Microbiology, Systems and Synthetic Biology, and Chemical Biology. The unique flat-structure of the school overcomes boundaries of different research directions to promote collaboration and inspiration while enhances clusters of focused research discussions.

Biophysics and Biochemistry

Director Yigong Shi

Associate Director Dan Ma

We mainly study structure and function of biomacromolecules, and their complexes involved in important biological processes or related to major diseases; investigate protein expression, modifications and interacting principles under physiological or pathological conditions; explore development mechanism of diseases and seek treatment methods through multidisciplinary approaches. Our primary members have made discoveries at the forefront of related research fields internationally, including mechanisms of nuclear pore complex assembly, mRNA splicing and COVID-19 infection, structural basis for critical ion channelosome during fertilization, analysis of blood biomarkers for severe COVID-19 patients, etc.  

Cell Biology

Director Hongtao Yu

Associate Director Shang Cai

With research interests in stem cell, cancer cell, immune cell and neural cell, the cell biology program aims to explore the cellular homeostasis, fate determination, cell-cell communication, and organelle functionalities during development, ageing and disease pathogenesis. We strive to uncover the most fundamental laws, including biochemical and biophysical principles, underlying cell replication and proliferation, cancer initiation and progression, pathogen-host interaction, as well as brain normal physiology and disorders. Our talented team have made numerous internationally recognized scientific achievements in cell division, cell migration, genome duplication and transcription, cellular stress response, signaling transduction, genome stability and fate determination.

Genetics and Developmental Biology

Director Tian Xu

Associate Director Xianjue Ma

This program aims to decipher the fundamental principles of genetics and development at the molecular, cellular, individual and population levels and to understand how alterations of these principles affect disease, aging and regeneration. The individual labs in this program conduct frontier and challenge research utilizing vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms and/or human subjects. Multi-disciplinary approaches and technologies including genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, evolution, AI and bioinformatics are employed in basic and translational research.

The program emphasizes a broad and cross-disciplinary training for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows and supports the career development of outstanding young scientists through frontier research projects, comprehensive courses, cutting-edge techniques and equipment. 

Neurobiology

Director Qiufu Ma

Associate Director Danyang He

Neurobiology program is a highly interdisciplinary research program that is committed to understanding how the nervous system works and discovering new ways to prevent or treat neurological disorders. We are pushing forward the frontiers of technology to decode neural networks underlying complex cognitive behaviors, elucidate how nervous system interacts with peripheral organs , and dissect neurovascular and neuroimmune units and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. We are aimed to discover how these functions are disrupted by disease, and finding new approaches to treating disease.

Immunology and Microbiology

Director Ren Sun

Associate Director Xing Chang

Research in the microbiology and immunology program is largely focused on areas including virology, bacteriology, vaccinology, innate and adaptive immunity, cancer immunology, and microbial-host interactions. The program seeks to identify novel mechanisms of immune regulation and to unlock mysteries of pathogenic microorganisms and their interactions with the host. It aims at major scientific bottlenecks and key technical issues associated with mechanisms, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. The goal is to translate these scientific discoveries into effective clinical applications for major human diseases.

Systems and Synthetic Biology

Director Jian Yang

Associate Director Peilong Lu

Systems and synthetic biology investigates the interactive, multifaceted networks of a living system and seeks to create novel biological parts, devices, and systems. Our program covers a variety of research directions, such as systems biology, synthetic biology, computational biology and biotechnology.

Chemical Biology (Co-built with the School of Science)

Director Dan Yang

Associate Director Bobo Dang

Chemical biology program organically integrates chemistry and biology to develop advanced chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, biological analysis techniques to explore, intervene, and manipulate complex life processes. Key members of this program have strong expertises in the fields of natural small molecule discovery, small molecule biological probe development, small molecule drug discovery , and peptide and protein macromolecules design and engineering.