XIAN-EN ZHANG is the Dean and Chair Professor of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, and PI professor of the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He engages in interdisciplinary research bridging synthetic biology, biosensors, and nanobiology, and has developed advanced tools to address basic scientific problems in cell biology, virology, and cancer biology. His research can be summarized into five categories: Designing and synthesizing genetically encoded biosensors to interpret molecular events in living cells; Developing a multi-fluorescent labeling system to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution dynamic tracing of virus-host cell interactions; Creating unique high-content proteome chips for the study of tuberculosis and African swine fever; Synthesizing a series of nanobiodevices using microbial components for biosensing and drug delivery; Using machine learning to discover cancer cell marker panels and predict new antimicrobial peptides. His current interest is AI+Synthetic Biology.

Concurrently, Zhang has led multiple strategic research projects, spanning life sciences, biotechnology, synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. One key output of these studies is “Synthetic Biology Roadmap 2022-2030”, which serves as a crucial reference or guideline for preparation of national research program, public engagement, research and university teaching. Other outputs include dozens of influential publications on science policy and development Strategy. This track record stems from his global vision and experience of serving as Director General of Basic Research Department of Ministry of Science & Technology during 2002-2012.

He received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Alberta, Canada, and is an elected Fellow of American Institute of Medicine and Biological Engineering, and Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry. He serves as the Vice President of Chinese Society of Biotechnology, Chair of the Division of Synthetic Biology; member of the permanent Committee of the World Congress on Biosensors; Founding Co-Chair of the Division of Nanobiotechnology/Biosensors/Biochips of the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB).