Yale University · BiologySynaptic Dynamics and Lipid Transfer Lab
Yongli Zhang · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
Dr. Yongli Zhang's lab at Yale University focuses on understanding how proteins involved in neuron communication and lipid transfer work at a molecular level. Specifically, the research explores how SNARE proteins help trigger the fusion of synaptic vesicles, which is essential for transmitting signals between nerve cells, and how lipid transfer proteins facilitate the movement of lipids between membranes. The ultimate goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind these processes, which could help in addressing various neurological diseases.
SNARE assemblylipid transfersynaptic vesicle fusionmembrane dynamicssingle-molecule studies
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the assembly dynamics of SNARE proteins during synaptic fusion
AIM 02Characterize the structure and stability of the primed SNARE complex
AIM 03Explore the driving forces behind lipid transport mediated by bridge lipid transfer proteins
AIM 04Develop novel assays to measure lipid transfer rates and directions
AIM 05Illuminate the roles of SNAREs and lipid transfer proteins in neurological diseases.
Skills the Lab Values
Fluorescence microscopyoptical tweezerslipid transfer assaysprotein reconstitutionmolecular dynamics simulation
Output against the department
Publications173top 38% of dept.393rd of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.2kbottom 49% of dept.526th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.