Yi Zhang (biochemist)

HHMI Yi Zhang

Chinese-American biochemist

Yi Zhang

Nationality	Chinese-American
Known for	Research on epigenetics and chromatin biology

Yi Zhang is a Chinese-American biochemist renowned for his contributions to the field of epigenetics and chromatin biology. He is a professor at Harvard Medical School and a senior investigator at Boston Children's Hospital.

Early Life and Education

Yi Zhang was born in China. He completed his undergraduate studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, where he developed an interest in biochemistry. He then moved to the United States to pursue his doctoral studies at Florida State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Yi Zhang conducted postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focused on the mechanisms of gene regulation and epigenetic modifications.

In 2003, Zhang joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, where he established his own laboratory. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of epigenetic regulation and the role of chromatin in gene expression.

Research Contributions

Yi Zhang's research has primarily focused on the study of epigenetic modifications, particularly the role of histone modifications and DNA methylation in regulating gene expression. His work has led to the discovery of several key enzymes involved in these processes, including histone demethylases and DNA methyltransferases.

One of his notable discoveries is the identification of the JmjC domain-containing histone demethylases, which play a crucial role in the removal of methyl groups from histones, thereby influencing chromatin structure and gene expression.

Awards and Honors

Yi Zhang has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of biochemistry and epigenetics. He is a member of several prestigious scientific organizations and has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences.

Personal Life

Yi Zhang resides in Boston, Massachusetts, where he continues his research and teaching activities. He is married and has children.

See Also

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin
• Gene regulation
• Histone modification
• DNA methylation