Tongli Zhang

Postdoctoral Fellow In Prof. Bela Novak's laboratory of Dynamics of Molecular Networks, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK Email: tongli.zhang@bioch.ox.ac.uk Tel: +44-1865-213304 Fax: +44-1865-613201
(departmental office) Link to Tongli Zhang at Oxford

Previous position at Virginia Tech: PhD student 2004-2008, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009.

Research Pages: Tyson Lab Budding Yeast Cell Cycle Model Generic Cell Cycle Model

Current Research Interests

Living organisms have to respond properly to internal and external signals for their survival. The information processing and decision making of the cells are carried out by their molecular machineries. Mutations of the machinery often disturb the cell physiology and cause ill effects, such as the development of tumor. My aim is to understand the signal transduction pathways in mammalian cells.

We collect biochemical and physiological information from the literature and from our experimental collaborators, and then unite them into a consistent picture with the help of mathematical modeling and computer simulation. We use the model to generate novel predictions, which can be tested by our collaborators, to further refine our model.

With a realistic mathematical model, we will propose practical protocols to intervene and to fix faulty cellular responses. The protocols will hopefully contribute to tumor treatment.

Education

Ph.D. 2008 Virginia Tech, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
M.S. 2003 China Medical University, Shenyang, China, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
B.S. 2000 China Medical University, Shenyang, China, Forensic Medicine.

Professional Experience

Jan 2009 - Oct 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. John Tyson's Lab, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Sep 2004 - Dec 2008 PhD Student, Genetics Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech
Aug 2003 - Jun 2004 Instructor, Department of Bioengineering, YanShan University, Qinhuangdao, China

Publications

Zhang, T., Schmierer, B., and Novak, B. (2011). Cell cycle commitment in budding yeast emerges from the cooperation of multiple bi-stable switches. Open Biol. 1:110009
[Abstract] [Article]
Su, J., Zhang, T., Tyson, J.J., and Li, L. (2009). The interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase M selectively inhibits the alternative, instead of the classical NFkappaB pathway. J. Innate Immun. 1: 164-174.
[Abstract] [Article]
Zhang, T., Brazhnik, P., and Tyson, J.J. (2009). Computational analysis of dynamical responses to the intrinsic pathway of programmed cell death. Biophys J. 97: 415-432.
[Abstract] [Article]
Zhang, T., Brazhnik, P. and Tyson, J. J. (2007). Exploring mechanisms of the DNA-damage response: p53 pulses and their possible relevance to apoptosis. Cell Cycle 6:85-94.
[Abstract] [Article]

Personal

With Jing. With Jing and Grace.
Our little angel, Grace. Grace, 100-days old.
Grace at Oxford, UK. 9 months old. Playful Grace, 10 months old.
Grace with parents. 1 year old. Happy Grace, 1 year old.
Grace, 13 months old. Grace meditating.
April 2011, Grace in Spain. She is almost 2 years old.
June 2012, Grace in Oxford, UK. She is three years old.

Besides spending time with my family, I like to go hiking and playing soccer.