Jinwei P. Zhang MSc, PhD

Dr. Jinwei P. Zhang, MSc, Ph.D. is a Principal Investigator at the University of Exeter. Dr. Jinwei Zhang obtained a BSc degree in Bioengineering from Fujian Normal University China in 2003. While there, he studied the mutagenesis of Aspergillus niger for a higher yield of multicomponent enzymes. He then obtained an MSc degree in Marine Microbial Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The Third Institute of Oceanography (Xiamen), State Oceanic Administration China in 2007. While there, he studied marine ecology and cold-adapted enzymes from deep-sea bacteria. He then obtained a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology from Newcastle University UK in 2011. While there, he studied natural bioactive compounds and their applications in human health.

Since 2011, Jinwei pursued his interest in cellular signaling with a post-doctoral fellowship at the Medical Research Council (MRC)- Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitination Unit (PPU) in Dundee with Professor Dario Alessi (FRS), and with Professor Nathanael Gray at Harvard Medical School. While there, he studied LRRK2-associated Parkinson's disease and contributed to the discovery of the most potent LRRK2 kinase inhibitors TAE684 and TTT3002, the most selective LRRK2 inhibitor GSK2578215A, and the first brain penetrable LRRK2 inhibitors HG-10-102-01 and JH-II-127.

Since 2014, Jinwei's research focused on CUL3/KLHL3-WNKs-SPAK/OSR1-cation chloride cotransporters (CCCs) signaling in cellular chloride homeostasis and cell volume regulation in collaboration with Professor Kristopher Kahle at Yale University School of Medicine. In 2017, Jinwei joined the Faculty of the University of Exeter Medical School, where his KCC2/ NKCC1 investigations can gain greater impact by integration with the clinical resources and basic science research at The Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences.

Recent research in Zhang Laboratory has greatly improved our understanding of the function of Chloride ion transporters, e.g. NCC, NKCC2, NKCC1, KCC2, and KCC3, and their upstream regulatory mechanism by the WNK-SPAK/OSR1 signaling pathway in mammalian cells and tissues under physiological and pathological conditions (Cell Metabolism 2017; Nature Medicine 2017; Nature Communications 2017; eLife 2018; Neuron 2019; Science Signalling 2019a, 2019b; Molecular Psychiatry 2021; and Genetics in Medicine 2022), and subsequently led to the development of a drug-like molecular ZT-1a (Nature Communications 2020; Stroke 2022; Patents granted in United States (US10995061B2 and US11414379B2), Canadian Application (CA3115075A1), Australian Application (AU2019351731A1), Chinese Application (CN113365614A), European Application (EP3873439A1) and South African Application (ZA202102261A), as a neuroprotective agent.  Brain swelling or cerebral edema after a stroke, hydrocephalus, or epilepsy is a common and devastating problem for individuals and their families. This current discovery could address the urgent need for treatment that could provide an effective alternative to invasive surgery.