Position

Research Fellow, Monash University

Metabolic Receptor Biology Laboratory

Drug Discovery Biology

Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Xin (Cindy) Zhang is an early career researcher based at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) with proven expertise in understanding the structural basis of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). These proteins represent the largest family of receptors in the human genome and the biggest class of current drug targets.

Cindy's projects focus on studying the class B1 subfamily of GPCRs that regulate the function of key peptide hormones that are involved in many physiological processes. The specific receptors that the research is principally focused on the glucagon receptor family that are important clinical targets for metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis). Using a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses structural and computational biology, molecular and mathematical modelling, biochemistry and cellular signal transduction, understanding the dynamic process of how diverse ligands bind to and activate class B1 GPCRs, and consequently enable recruitment of different transducer (signalling) proteins are key areas at the forefront of GPCR research as these are considered critical to future successful drug discovery and development.