Liang Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
On This Page
About Liang Zhou
Liang Zhou, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology (ID&I), College of Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Florida. Dr. Zhou received his MD from Nanjing Medical University (NMU), China, in 1996 and his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics in 2004.
Dr. Zhou is a molecular immunologist with specialization in two major areas: mucosal immunity and lymphocyte development/differentiation. His research focuses on environmental impact (e.g., microbes and dietary components) on host immunity, especially in mucosal tissues. The majority of his research utilizes mouse genetic models, molecular and cellular immunological approaches, and genome-based technologies.
In 2015, Dr. Zhou moved to the University of Florida from Northwestern University as part of UF’s Preeminence Initiative in Mucosal Immunology.
Accomplishments
Teaching Profile
Courses Taught
-
GMS5905 – Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences
College of Medicine
-
GMS7980 – Research for Doctoral Dissertation
College of Medicine
-
GMS7979 – Advanced Research
College of Medicine
-
VME7980 – Research for Doctoral Dissertation
College of Veterinary Medicine
-
VME4906 – Problems in Veterinary Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
-
VME6934 – Topics in Veterinary Medical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
-
GMS6140 – Principles of Immunology
College of Medicine
-
VME6140 – VMS Graduate Journal Club: Mucosal Immunology
College of Veterinary Medicine
-
VME6933 – Seminar in Infectious Diseases and Experimental Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine
-
VME7979 – Advanced Research
College of Veterinary Medicine
Research Profile
Dr. Zhou is actively involved in mucosal immunology research. Over the years, he has published work in various high impact journals, including Cell, Nature, Immunity, Nature Immunology, The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Science Translational Medicine, and Mucosal Immunology. During the past four years, Dr. Zhou has published four papers as a corresponding author in Immunity elucidating the molecular regulation of a type of innate lymphoid cells (group 3 innate lymphoid cells—ILC3s). His papers are highly cited and have been considered landmark discoveries in the field of immunology.
As a result of his successful research, Dr. Zhou has received various prestigious awards, including being named an International Cytokine Society Young Investigator, a Cancer Research Institute Investigator, a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences, and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease. He has also been invited to give talks at numerous meetings and institutions nationally and internationally, and his work has been continuously funded by NIH and other private funding agencies since 2005.
Dr. Zhou’s research on the crosstalk between environmental factors and the host immune system in order to control bacterial infections while maintaining immune homeostasis may represent a novel target for immunologic intervention in preventing and treating infectious diseases. His research may also reveal novel therapies through modulation of Ahr activity for autoimmunity and cancer.
Areas of Interest
- Cancer
- Gene expression
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Metabolism
- Microbiome
- Mucosal immunology
Publications
Academic Articles
Grants
-
Multivalent vaccines against Clostridium difficile infection.
Active
- Role:
- Co-Investigator
- Funding:
- UNIV OF SOUTH FLORIDA via NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
-
Regulation of Gut Innate Lymphoid Cells by Ahr
Active
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
-
Role of RORgt+ (note: g: is gamma symbol) lymphocytes in Gut Tissue Homeostasis
Active
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
-
Role of Bcl11b in CD4+ T cells and innate lymphoid cells
- Role:
- Co-Investigator
- Funding:
- NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
-
Regulation of Gut Innate Lymphoid Cells by Ahr
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
-
ROLE OF AHR IN T LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- NATL INST OF HLTH NIDDK
-
Environmental impact on host-pathogen interaction
Active
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- BURROUGHS WELLCOME FUND
-
a global view of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding:
- PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS SCHO PRG
-
UF Health Cancer Center Pilot Project Grants funded through the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program
- Role:
- Project Manager
- Funding:
- UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Education
-
Ph.D – Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
University of California, Los Angeles
-
Medical Degree
Nanjing Medical University
Contact Details
- Business:
- (352) 294-8293
- Business:
- liangzhou497@ufl.edu
- Business Mailing:
-
PO Box 110880
GAINESVILLE FL 32611 - Business Street:
-
PO Box 110880
GAINESVILLE FL 32611