Yongli Zhang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in Cell Biology Single molecule biophysics and biochemistry, chromatin remodeling, membrane fusion and fission.

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Phone: (203) 737-4536 Lab: (203) 737-6852 Fax: (203) 785-7446 e-mail: yongli.zhang@yale.edu

Department of Cell Biology Yale University School of Medicine 333 Cedar Street PO Box 208002 New Haven, CT 06520-8002 <Courier Address> Department of Cell Biology Yale University School of Medicine 333 Cedar Street SHM C-425B New Haven, CT 06520

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Education

Ph.D. Yale University 2003

Research Interests

Our lab uses high-resolution optical tweezers to characterize various macromolecular assemblies and molecular machines at a single-molecule level. We study their structures, thermodynamics, and kinetics by simultaneously detecting the force and the displacement or extension involved in their conformational transitions, often at unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Specifically, we are focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie three important biological processes: (1) ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and effects of histone modifications and variants, (2) regulated folding and assembly of SNARE proteins involved in membrane fusion, and (3) membrane remodeling or fission mediated by dynamin and other proteins. A common theme of these processes is that mechanical force plays a major role in their biological functions.

Links

• Zhang Homepage

Recent Publications

• Zhang, Y.L., Smith, C.L., Saha, A., Grill, S.W., Mihardja, S., Smith, S.B., Cairns, B.R., Peterson, C.L., and Bustamantel, C. (2006). DNA translocation and loop formation mechanism of chromatin remodeling by SWI/SNF and RSC. Mol. Cell 24, 559-568.
• Mihardja, S., Spakowitz, A.J., Zhang, Y.L., and Bustamante, C. (2006). Effect of force on mononucleosomal dynamics. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103, 15871-15876.