Xiufeng Zhang Research Assistant Professor WAX105 xiufengz@ksu.edu

Education

B.S. – University of Science and Technology of China
Ph.D. – Oklahoma State University

Research

I am deeply fascinated by the ways genetic factors shape life on Earth. Among the most captivating examples are insects—tiny yet incredibly diverse creatures that make up the largest portion of biological landscape. My research journey has equipped me with broad expertise across functional genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology, with a strong focus on insect physiology. Currently, I am investigating the pathogenesis of arboviruses in mosquitoes, with particular emphasis on the roles of extracellular vesicles and the potential of small molecules to inhibit viral replication.

Selected Publications (Complete list on Google Scholar)

Zhang X, Pandey A, Hartson SD, Ulmer J, Kanost M, Michel K. Anopheles gambiae CLIPA8 and CLIPA28 promote melanization by increasing prophenoloxidase activity. (In preparation)

Zhang X, Zhang S, Kuang J, Sellens KA, Morejon B, Saab SA, Li M, Metto EC, An C, Culbertson CT, Osta MA, Scoglio C, Michel K. CLIPB4 is a central node in the protease network that regulates humoral immunity in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Journal of Innate Immunity 2023, 15 (1): 680–696. DOI:10.1159/000533898

Zhang X, Raikhel AS. Hormonal regulation of microRNA expression dynamics in the gut of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. RNA Biology 2020, 10.1080/15476286. 2020.1864181

Zhang X, Aksoy E, Girke T, Raikhel AS, Karginov FV. Transcriptome-wide microRNA and target dynamics in the fat body during the gonadotrophic cycle of Aedes aegypti. PNAS 2017, doi:10.1073/pnas.1701474114

Zhang X, He Y, Cao X, Gunaratna RT, Chen Y, Blissard G, Kanost MR, Jiang H: Phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling of the pattern recognition receptors: Insights into molecular recognition of invading pathogens in Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2015, 62:38-50

Zhang X, Zheng Y, Cao X, Ren R, Yu X, Jiang H: Identification and profiling of Manduca sexta microRNAs and their possible roles in regulating specific transcripts in fat body, hemocytes, and midgut. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2015, 62:11-22

Zhang X, Zheng Y, Jagadeeswaran G, Ren R, Sunkar R, Jiang H: Identification of conserved and novel microRNAs in Manduca sexta and their possible roles in the expression regulation of immunity-related genes. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2014, 47:12-22

Zhang X, Zheng Y, Jagadeeswaran G, Ren R, Sunkar R, Jiang H: Identification and developmental profiling of conserved and novel microRNAs in Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2012, 42(6):381-395