Chen Lab, Yunnan University | Structural Biology · Ion Channels

Principal Investigator

课题组负责人 About the PI

个人简介Biography

陈庆锋，博士，教授，博士生导师。2012 年毕业于华中农业大学并获得博士学位，期间先后赴美国唐纳德丹福斯植物科学中心和清华大学开展合作研究。2012—2019 年在美国西南医学中心/霍华德休斯医学研究所（HHMI）从事博士后研究，研究方向为与人类疾病密切相关的离子通道结构与功能机制。2019 年 10 月加入天津大学生命科学学院任教授，2021 年 4 月全职加入云南大学生命科学中心/生命科学学院。

Prof. Qingfeng Chen received his PhD from Huazhong Agricultural University in 2012, during which he conducted collaborative research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (USA) and Tsinghua University. From 2012 to 2019, he conducted postdoctoral research at UT Southwestern Medical Center / Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), focusing on the structural and functional mechanisms of ion channels implicated in human disease. He joined Tianjin University as a Professor in October 2019, and moved full-time to Yunnan University in April 2021.

研究成果以通讯作者或共同作者身份发表于 Nature、Nature Chemical Biology、Nature Communications、EMBO Journal、eLife、Cell Discovery 等国际知名学术期刊。 His research has been published in Nature, Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Communications, EMBO Journal, eLife, Cell Discovery, and other leading international journals.

招生方向Recruiting

生化与分子生物学Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
生物信息学Bioinformatics
生物与医药（生化与分子生物学方向）Biology & Medicine (Biochemistry track)

Research Highlights

从结构到机制，从机制到干预 From Structure to Mechanism, from Mechanism to Intervention

以 X 射线晶体学与单颗粒冷冻电镜为核心技术，结合蛋白质从头设计与药物筛选，在 One Health 理念下研究离子通道、受体及转运蛋白的结构与功能。 Anchored by X-ray crystallography and single-particle cryo-EM, and integrated with de novo protein design and drug screening, we study the structure and function of ion channels, receptors, and transporters under the One Health framework.

技术方法Methods & Technologies

X-ray Crystallography

X 射线晶体学X-ray Crystallography

利用同步辐射光源对膜蛋白及其配体复合物进行高分辨率晶体结构解析，在原子分辨率水平揭示底物识别、离子选择性及药物结合的结构基础与分子机制。 Using synchrotron radiation to determine atomic-resolution crystal structures of membrane proteins and their ligand complexes, revealing the molecular basis of substrate recognition, ion selectivity, and drug binding.

Cryo-EM

单颗粒冷冻电镜Single-Particle Cryo-EM

突破膜蛋白结晶瓶颈，在近生理条件下捕获离子通道与 ABC 转运蛋白在静息态、预转运态及催化中间态的高分辨率结构，揭示其动态转运机制。 By overcoming the crystallization bottleneck inherent to membrane proteins, we capture multiple conformational states under near-physiological conditions, revealing the dynamic transport mechanisms of ion channels and ABC transporters.

De Novo Design

蛋白质从头设计De Novo Protein Design

基于结构信息与计算设计方法，从头设计具有特定功能的蛋白质分子，开发新型膜蛋白工具与探针，为靶向干预和功能研究提供新型分子平台。 Leveraging structural information and computational design principles to engineer proteins with defined functions de novo, developing novel membrane protein tools and probes for targeted intervention and functional studies.

Drug Screening

药物筛选Drug Screening

以解析的高分辨率结构为基础，开展基于结构的虚拟筛选与高通量实验筛选，鉴定靶向离子通道和转运蛋白的先导化合物，推动抗寄生虫与抗菌新药开发。 Building on high-resolution structures, we conduct structure-based virtual screening and high-throughput experimental screening to identify lead compounds targeting ion channels and transporters, thereby advancing antiparasitic and antimicrobial drug discovery.

研究方向Research Directions

Ion Channels & Transporters

疾病相关离子通道和转运蛋白的结构功能研究与药物开发Structural & Functional Studies of Disease-Related Ion Channels and Transporters

离子通道和转运蛋白在多种人类疾病中发挥关键作用。我们利用冷冻电镜和X射线晶体学等技术解析疾病相关离子通道和转运蛋白的高分辨率结构，阐明其门控、底物识别与转运的分子机制，并基于结构开展药物设计与筛选。 Ion channels and transporters play critical roles in human diseases. We employ cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography to determine high-resolution structures, elucidate molecular mechanisms of gating and transport, and conduct structure-based drug design and screening.

Anthelmintic Pharmacology

杀线虫药物结构药理学、新药靶鉴定和药物筛选Structural Pharmacology of Anthelmintics, Target ID & Drug Screening

以线虫关键靶点为结构模型，阐明驱虫药物的作用机制，鉴定新型药物靶点，并开展高通量药物筛选，为线虫病的防治和公共卫生安全提供新策略。 Using key nematode targets as structural models, we elucidate anthelmintic mechanisms, identify novel drug targets, and perform high-throughput screening to provide new strategies for nematode control and public health.

Selected Publications

代表性论文 Representative Publications

* 共同第一作者 · # 通讯作者 * Co-first authors · # Corresponding authors

Molecular mechanism of phosphate import by the bacterial PstSCAB transporter

Xiao, H.*, Li, S.*, Qi, R.*, Hu, Y., Jiang, X., Luo, J., Wu, J., Zhang, L., Xu, S., Lu, D., Yang, X., Chen, Q.#, Liu, S.#

📄 Nature Communications 2026 · Vol. 17, Art. 2294 NEW

🔗 DOI 🧬 PDB: 9K3Y 🧬 PDB: 9K3X 🧬 PDB: 9K3S

Structure and mechanism of a neuropeptide-activated channel in the ENaC/DEG superfamily

Liu, F.*, Dang, Y.*, Li, L.*, Feng, H.*, Li, J., Wang, H., Zhang, X., Zhang, Z.#, Ye, S.#, Tian, Y.#, Chen, Q.#

📄 Nature Chemical Biology 2023 · 19(10), 1276–1285

🔗 DOI 🧬 PDB: 7YVB 🧬 PDB: 7YVC

Structural basis of phosphate export by human XPR1

He, Q.*, Zhang, R.*, Tury, S.*, Courgnaud, V., Liu, F., Battini, J.#, Li, B.#, Chen, Q.#

📄 Nature Communications 2025 · 16, 683

🔗 DOI 🧬 PDB: 9IJZ 🧬 PDB: 9IJY

Structural insights into the molecular effects of the anthelmintics monepantel and betaine on the C. elegans acetylcholine receptor ACR-23

Liu, F.*, Li, T.*, Gong, H.*, Tian, F., Bai, Y., Wang, H., Yang, C., Li, Y., Guo, F.#, Liu, S.#, Chen, Q.#

📄 EMBO Journal 2024 · 43, 3787–3806

🔗 DOI 🧬 PDB: 8ZFK 🧬 PDB: 8ZFM

Structure basis for sugar specificity of gustatory receptors in insects

Chen, R.*, Zhang, R.*, Li, L.*, Wang, B.*, Gao, Z., Liu, F., Chen, Y., Tian, Y.#, Li, B.#, Chen, Q.#

📄 Cell Discovery 2024 · 10, 83

🔗 DOI 🧬 PDB: 8ZE3 🧬 PDB: 8ZE2

学术动态 Academic Updates & Laboratory Milestones

Feb 2026

PDB: 9K3Y

细菌 PstSCAB 磷酸盐转运体结构与机制发表于 Nature CommunicationsPstSCAB phosphate transporter mechanism published in Nature Communications

利用冷冻电镜解析 PstSCAB 在静息、预转运及催化中间态的高分辨率结构，揭示细菌磷酸盐摄取的完整分子机制，为抗菌药物开发提供新靶点。Cryo-EM structures of PstSCAB in resting, pretranslocation, and catalytic intermediate states reveal the complete molecular mechanism of bacterial phosphate import, thereby providing new structural targets for antimicrobial drug development.

云南大学新闻网YNU News

Jan 2025

PDB: 9DVN

XPR1 磷酸盐输出蛋白结构解析发表于 Nature CommunicationsXPR1 phosphate exporter structure published in Nature Communications

揭示人源 XPR1 磷酸盐输出的结构基础，为原发性家族性脑钙化等相关疾病干预提供新靶点。Reveals the structural basis of phosphate export by human XPR1, providing new therapeutic targets for primary familial brain calcification and related disorders.

云南大学新闻网YNU News

Aug 2024

PDB: 8ZFK

ACR-23 受体驱虫药物机制研究发表于 EMBO JournalACR-23 anthelmintic mechanism published in EMBO Journal

阐明单帕奈特与甜菜碱对线虫乙酰胆碱受体的分子效应，推动新型驱虫药开发。Elucidates the molecular effects of monepantel and betaine on C. elegans ACR-23, advancing new anthelmintic drug development.

生命科学中心Life Sciences Center

Jul 2024

PDB: 8ZE2

昆虫味觉受体糖特异性结构基础发表于 Cell DiscoveryInsect gustatory receptor sugar specificity published in Cell Discovery

解析昆虫味觉受体识别糖类的结构机制，为农业害虫防治提供新的分子靶点。Structural mechanism of sugar recognition by insect gustatory receptors, providing new insights for agricultural pest control.

生命科学学院School of Life Sciences

Oct 2023

PDB: 7YVB

ENaC/DEG 超家族神经肽激活通道结构发表于 Nature Chemical BiologyENaC/DEG neuropeptide-activated channel structure published in Nature Chemical Biology

首次解析神经肽激活通道的高分辨率结构，揭示其独特门控机制。First high-resolution structure of a neuropeptide-activated channel, revealing its unique gating mechanism.