PictureMay 2024 in Kyoto Japan

Si-Ming Zhang, Ph.D.

Research Professor
 & Principal Investigator
Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology
 
Department of Biology
The University of New Mexico 

Albuquerque,
New Mexico 87131, 
USA

E-mail: [email protected]

Office phone: (505) 277 4589


PAST & CURRENT INTERESTS

Comparative Immunology, Genetics, Genomics, Parasitology, Vector Biology,
Medical Malacology, Fish Biology, Host-Parasite Interactions, Schistosomiasis. 

EDUCATION

  •  Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences

  •  B.S., Huazhong Agricultural University 

EMPLOYMENT

  • Research Professor, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Department of Biology, University of New Mexico (UNM) (2022- )

  • Research Associate Professor, CETI, Department of Biology, UNM (2008-2021 )

  • Research Assistant Professor, CETI, Department of Biology, UNM (2003-2007)
  • Postdoctoral scientist, Department of Biology, UNM (2000-2002)

  • Professor, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences (1999)

  • Associate Professor, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences (1996-1998)

  • Assistant Professor, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences (1990-1995)

  • Consultant to World Bank and UNDP's project in Bangladesh 1993
  • Consultant to Asian Development Bank's project in Pakistan 1992

  • Scientist to FAO/UN's project at Central Institute for Aquaculture India (1989-1990)

RESEARCH GRANTS

  • Genetics and genomics of schistosome resistance in snails. NIH R01 grant (06/2022 -   ). Role: PI
  • Yolk protein-mediated germline delivery in vector snails. NIH R21 grant (03/2021-02/2023). Role: PI
  • Genomic basis of anti-schistosome resistance in snails. NIH R21 grant (02/2019-01/2021). Role: PI
  • Snail-related studies of transmission and control of schistosomiasis in Kenya. NIH RO1 grant (05/2012-04/2018). Role: Co-investigator. 
  • Sentinel system for detection of schistosome transmission. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Exploration (11/2013-5/2015). Role: Co-PI. 
  • Innate immune response to microbial PAMPs in the schistosome-transmitting snails. NIH R15 grant (03/2012-02/2015). Role: Co-Investigator. 
  • Molecular studies of immunoparasitology in snails. NIH RO1 grant (07/2007-06/2012 ). Role: PI.
  • Molecular studies of immunoparasitology in snails (evolutionarily conserved immune signaling pathways in snails). NCRR/ARRA (06/2010-05/2012 ). Role: PI.
  • Diverse recognition capability: an invertebrate model. A subproject of NIH COBRE project (09/2003-06/2007). Role: PI.
  • Conservation genetics of Chinese sturgeon and phylogenetic analysis of the order Acipenseriformes. Natural Science Foundation of China (1996-1999). Role: PI.
  • Stock identification of grass carp using mitochondrial DNA markers. International Foundation of Sciences (Sweden) (1993-1996). Role: PI
  • Four research grants awarded from Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (1992-1999). Role: PI.   The objectives of those projects were to produce genetically improved fish stocks for aquaculture and to develop genetic markers for conservation and management of aquatic resources.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

76) Zhong, D., Bu, L., Habib, M.R., Lu, L., Yan, G., Zhang, S.-M. (2024) A haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, an important intermediate host of schistosomiasis and the best studied model of schistosomiasis vector snails. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 18(2): e0011983.

75) Lu, L., Bu, L., Laidemitt, M.R. Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E.S. (2024) Different metazoan parasites, different transcriptomic responses, with new insights on parasitic castration by digenetic trematodes in the schistosome vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata. BMC Genomics. 25: 608. 
 
74) Bu, L., Habib, M.R., Lu, L., Mutuku, M.W., Loker, E.S., Zhang, S.-M. (2024) Transcriptional profiling of Bulinus globosus provides insights into immune gene families in snails supporting the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 154: 105150.

73) Habib, M.R., Bu, L., Posavi, M., Zhong, D., Yan, G., Zhang, S.-M. (2024) Yolk proteins of the schistosomiasis vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata revealed by multi-omics analysis. Scientific Reports. 14: 1820.

72) Bu, L., Lu, L., Laidemitt, M., Zhang, S.-M., Mutuku, M., Mkoji, G., Steinauer, M., Loker, E.S. (2023) A genome sequence for Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the major vector snail for the human-infecting parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 17(3): e0011208.

71) Bu, L., Zhong, D., Lu, L., Loker, E.S., Yan, G., Zhang, S.-M. (2022) Compatibility between snails and schistosomes: insights from new genetic resources, comparative genomics, and genetic mapping. Communications Biology. 5: 940.

70) Zhang, S.-M., Bu, L., Lu, L., Babbitt, C., Adema, C.M., Loker, E.S. (2022) Comparative mitogenomics of freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus, obligatory vectors of Schistosoma haematobium, causative agent of human urogenital schistosomiasis. Scientific Reports. 12: 5357.

69) Lu, L., Bu L., Zhang, S.-M., Buddenborg, S.K., Loker, E.S. (2022) An overview of transcriptional responses of schistosome-susceptible (M line) or -resistant (BS-90) Biomphalaria glabrata exposed or not to Schistosoma mansoni infection. Frontiers in Immunology. 12: 805882.

68) Liu, S., Zhang, S.-M., Buddenborg, S.K., Loker, E.S. Bonning, B,C. (2021) Virus-derived sequences from the transcriptomes of two snail vectors of schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus globosus from Kenya. Peer J. 9: e12290.

67) Lu, L., Loker, E.S., Adema, C., Zhang, S.-M., Bu, L. (2020) Genomic and transcriptional analysis of genes containing fibrinogen and IgSF domains in the schistosome vector Biomphalaria glabrata, with emphasis on the differential responses of snails susceptible or resistant to Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 10(4): e0008780.

66) Lu, L., Loker, E.S., Zhang, S.-M., Buddenborg, S.K., Bu, L. (2020) Genome-wide discovery, and computational and transcriptional characterization of an AIG gene family in the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, a vector for Schistosoma mansoni. BMC Genomics. 21: 190.

65) Buddenborg, S.K., Kamel, B., Hanelt, B., Bu, L., Zhang, S.-M., Mkoji,G.M., Loker, E. S.  (2019) The in vivo transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni in the prominent vector species Biomphalaria pfeifferi with supporting observations from B. glabrata. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 13(9): e0007013.  

64) Buddenborg, S.K., Kamel, B.,  Zhang, S.-M., Mkoji,G.M., Loker, E. S.  (2019) Transcriptional responses of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Schistosoma mansoni following exposure to niclosamide, with evidence for a synergistic effect on snails following exposure to both stressors. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 13(12): e0006972.  
 
63) Zhang, S.-M., Bu, L., Laidemtt, M.R., Lu, L., Mutuku, M.W., Mkoji, G.M., Loker, E.S. (2018) Complete mitochondrial and rDNA complex sequences of important vector species of Biomphalaria, obligatory hosts of the human-infecting blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Scientific Reports. 8: 7341.

62) Buddenborg, S.K., Bu, L., Zhang, S.-M., Schilkey, F.D., Mkoji, G.M., Loker, E.S. (2017) Transcriptomic responses of Biomphalaria pfeifferi to Schistosoma mansoni: Investigation of a neglected African snail that supports more S. mansoni transmission than any other snail species. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 11(10): e0005984.

61) Adema, C.M., +113 authors, Zhang, S.-M., Zhao, M., Wilson, R.K. (2017) Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail. Nature  Communications. 8: 15451. 

60) Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E.S., Sullivan, J.T. (2016) Pathogen-associated molecular patterns activate expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, immunity and detoxification in the amebocyte-producing organ of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 56: 25-36.

59) Lu, L., Zhang, S.-M., Mutuku, M.W., Mkoji, G.M., Loker, E.S. (2016) Relative compatibility of Schistosoma mansoni with Biomphalaria sudanica and B. pfeifferi as assessed by PCR amplification of the S. mansoni ND5 gene in conjunction with traditional methods. Parasites & Vectors. 9: 166. 

58) Zhang, S-M., Buddenborg, S.K., Adema, C.M., Sullivan, J.T., Loker, E.S. (2015) Altered gene expression in the schistosome-transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata following exposure to niclosamide, the active ingredient in the widely used molluscicide Bayluscide. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 9(10): e0004131.

57) Mutuku, M.W., Dweni, C.K., Mwangi, M., Kinuthia, J.M., Mwangi, I.N., Maina, G.M, Agola, L.E., Zhang, S.-M., Maranga, R., Loker, E.S., Mkoji, G.M. (2014) Field-derived Schisrosoma mansoni and Biomphalaria pfeifferi in Kenya: a compatible association characterized by lack of strong local adaptation, and presence of some snails able to persistently produce cercariae for over a year.  Parasites & Vectors. 7: 533.

56) Zhang, S.-M., Coultas, K. A. (2013) Identification of plumbagin and sanguinarine as effective chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of schistosomiasis. International Journal of Parasitology: Drug and Drug Resistance. 3: 28-34.

55) Coultas, K. A., Zhang, S.-M. (2012) In vitro cercariae transformation: Comparison of mechanical and non-mechanical methods and observation of morphological changes of detached cercariae tails. Journal of Parasitology. 98: 1257-1261.

54) Adema, C. M., Bayne, C. J., Bridger, J. M., Knight, M., Loker, E. S., Yoshino, T. P., Zhang, S.-M. (2012) Will all scientists working on snails and the diseases they transmit please stand up? PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 6(12): e1835.

53) Zhang, S.-M., Coultas, K. A. (2011) Identification and characterization of five transcription factors that are associated with evolutionarily conserved immune signaling pathways in the schistosome-transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Molecular Immunology. 48: 1868-1881.

52) Hanington, P. C., Zhang, S.-M.. (2011) The primary role of fibrinogen-related proteins in invertebrates is defense, not coagulation. Journal of Innate Immunity. 3: 12-27.

51) Hanington, P. C., Forys, M. A., Dragoo, J. W., Zhang, S.-M., Adeam, C. M., Loker, E. S. (2010) A role of a somatically diversified lectin in resistance of an invertebrate to parasite infection. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U. S. A. 107: 21087-21092.

50) Zhou, Y.-B., Zhuang, J.-L., Yang, M.-X., Zhang, Z.-J., Wei, J.-G., Peng, W.-X., Zhang, S.-M., Jiang, Q.-W. (2010) Effects of low temperature on the schistosome-transmitting snail Oncomelania hupensis and the implications of global climate change. Molluscan Research. 30: 102-108.

49) Zhang, S.-M., Nian, H., Wang, B., Loker, E. S., Adema, C. M. (2009) Schistosomin from the snail Biomphalaria glabrata: Expression studies suggest no involvement in trematode-mediated castration. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 165; 79-86.

48) Stout, B. A., Adema, C. M., Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E. S. (2009) The biology of FREPs: diversified lectins with fibrinogen-related domains from the freshwater snail B. glabrata. In Animal Lectins: A Functional View. Eds: G. Vasta & H. Ahmed. CRC Press Taylor & Francis.

47) Zhang, S.-M., Nian, H., Zeng, Y., DeJong R. J. (2008) Fibrinogen-bearing protein genes in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata: Characterization of two novel genes and expression studies during ontogenesis and trematode infection. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 32: 1119-1130.

46) Zhang, S.-M., Zeng, Y., Loker, E. S. (2008) Expression profiling and binding properties of fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs), plasma lectins from the schistosome snail host Biomphalaria glabrata. Innate Immunity. 14: 175-189.

45) Zhang, S.-M., Zeng, Y., Loker, E. S. (2007) Characterization of immune genes from the schistosome snail host Biomphalaria glabrata that encode peptidoglycan recognition proteins and gram-negative bacteria binding protein. Immunogenetics. 59: 883-898.

44) Adema, C.M., Luo, M.Z., Hanelt, B., Hertel, L. A., Marshall, J.J., Zhang, S.-M., DeJong, R.J., Kim, H.R., Kudrna, D., Wing, R.A., Soderlund, C., Knight,M., Lewis, F.A., Caldeira, R.L., Jannotti-Passos, L.A., Carvalho, O.D.S., Loker, E.S. (2006) A bacterial chromosome library for Biomphalariaglabrata, intermediate snail host of Schistosomamansoni. Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 101 (suppl. 1): 167-177.

43) Jiang, Y., Loker, E. S., Zhang, S.-M. (2006) In vivo and in vitro knockdown of FREP2 gene expression in the snail Biomphalariaglabrata using RNA interference. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 30: 855-866.

42) Jung, Y., Nowak, T. S., Zhang, S.-M., Hertel, L. A., Loker, E. S., Adema, C. M. (2005) Manganese superoxide dismutase from Biomphalariaglabrata. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 90: 59-63.

41) Zhang, S.-M., Adema, C. M., Kepler, T. B., Loker, E. S. (2004) Diversification of Ig superfamily genes in an invertebrate. Science. 305: 251-254.

40) Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E. S. (2004) Representation of an immune responsive gene family encoding fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) in the freshwater mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni. Gene. 341: 255-266.

39) Loker, E. S., Adema,C. M., Zhang, S.-M., Kepler, T. B. (2004) Invertebrate immune systems: not homogeneous, not simple, not well understood. Immunological Review. 198: 10-24.

38) Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E. S. (2003) The FREP gene family in Biomphalaria glabrata: additional members and evidence consistent with alternative splicing and FREP retrosequences. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 27: 175-187.

37) Zhang, S.-M., Wang, D. Q., Zhang, Y.-P. (2003) Mitochondrial DNA variation, effective female population size and population history of the endangered Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis. Conservation Genetics. 4: 673-683.

36) Zhang, S.-M., Wang, D. Q., Deng, H., Yu, L. N. (2002) Mitochondrial DNA variation of silver carp and grass carp from populations of the Yangtze River system revealed by RFLP-PCR method. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica. 26(2): 142-147.

35) Zhang, S.-M., Leonard, P. M., Adema,C. M., Loker, E. S. (2001) Parasite responsive IgSF members in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata: characterization of novel genes with tandemly arranged IgSF domains and a fibrinogen domain. Immunogenetics. 53: 684-694.

34) Zhang, S.-M., Wu, Q. J., Zhang, Y. P. (2001) On the taxonomic status of the Yangtze, Asian and American green sturgeons based on mitochondrial control region sequences. Acta Zoologica Sinica. 47(6): 623-639.

33) Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H,  Wang, D., Yu, L. N. (2001) Population structure and gene diversity of silver carp and grass carp from populations of the Yangtze River systems revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica. 25(4): 255-330.

32) Leonard, P. M., Adema, C. M., Zhang, S.-M., Loker, E. S. (2001) Structure of two FREP genes that combine IgSF and fibrinogen domains, with comments on the diversity of the FREP gene family in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Gene. 269: 155-165.

31) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, Y. P,  Cheng, Y. J., Wei, Q. W., Cheng,Y., Deng, H, Wang, D. Q., Wei Q. W, Nei, L., Wu, Q. J. (2000) Molecular phylogeny of twelve species of Acipenseriformes based on mtDNA ND4L-ND4 sequence analysis. Science in China (series C: English version). 43: 129-137.

30) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, Y. P., Wu, Q. J. (2000) Tandem repeats of mtDNA control region in the Chinese sturgeon and related species, and its significance of evolution. Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 16: 458-461.

29) Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H., Yang, Y., Wu, Q. J. (2000) Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and genetic diversity of the Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica. 31: 1-7.

28) Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H., Wang, D., Zhang, Y. P., Wu, Q. J. (1999) Mitochondrial DNA length variation and heteroplasmy in the Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis. Acta Genetica Sinica, 26: 489-496.

27) Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H, Wang, D., Wu, Q. J. (1999) The relationships among seven species of Acipenseriformes inferred from random amplified polymorphoric DNA. Progress in Natural Science. 9: 816-823.

26) Zhang, S.-M., Yang, Y., Deng, H., Wei, Q, W., Wu, Q.J. (1999) Genome size and ploidy characters of several species of sturgeons and paddlefishes with comments on cellular evolution of Acipenseriformes. Acta Zoologica Sinica. 45: 200-206.

25) Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H, Wei., Q, Wang, D., Wu, Q. J. (1999) The preliminary evidence for low genetic diversity of the Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis revealed by protein electrophoresis. Zoological Research. 20: 93-98.

24) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, Y. P,, Zheng, X. Z., Cheng, Y. J., Deng, H, Wang, D. Q., Wei, Q. W., Zhang, Y. W., Nie, L., Wu, Q. J. (1999) Molecular phylogeny of twelve species of Acipenseriformes based on ND4L-ND4 genes sequence analysis. Science in China (series C). 29: 607-614.

23) Liu, J. D., Huang, X., Yu, Q. X., Zhou, R. J., Guo, Y. Q., Zhang, S.-M., Deng, H,. Wang, D. (1999) Cytogenetic evidences for confirming the existence of sex chromosomes in Mastacembelus aculeatus (Osteichthyes, Perciformes). Journal of Wuhan University (Nat. Sci. Ed.). 45: 185-190.

22) Deng, H., Zhang, S.-M., Wang, D., Zhou, S. (1998) Use of RAPD to identify ten species of freshwater fishes. Freshwater Fisheries. 1: 8-11.

21) Deng, H., Zhang, S.-M., Wang, D. (1998) Genetic analysis of gynogenetic silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by the means of RAPD and protein electrophoresis. Freshwater Fisheries. 6: 8-13.

20) Zhang, S.-M. (1997) Molecular biology techniques and their application to fisheries sciences. Journal of Fisheries of China. 21(Supl): 97-106.

19) Zhang, S.-M., Long, H., Yan, Y. (1996) Mitochondrial DNA RFLP analysis of blunt snout beam (Megalobrama amblycephala) population in Yuli lake, Hubei. Chinese Journal of Fisheries. 20: 289-293.

18) Zhang, S.-M. (1995) Interaction between exogenous and indigenous fish stocks and management of their genetic resources. Journal of Fisheries Science in China. 2: 164-171.

17) Yao, H., Zhang, S.-M., Zeng, Y. (1994) Automated karyotypic analysis of silver carp chromosomes with an imagine analysis system. Journal of Fisheries Science of China. 1: 18-25.

16) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, X., Zeng, Y. (1993) Induction of tetraploidy in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val) by heat shock. Asian Fisheries Sciences. 6: 213-217.

15) Zhang, S.-M. (1993) A new method for fish chromosomes preparation. Hereditas. 15: 35-36.

14) Zhang, S.-M., Zeng, Y. (1993) NORs of three Cyprinid fish. Chromosome Information Service. 54: 19-20.21.

13) Zhang, S.-M., Long, H., Zhang, X. (1992) Comparative study in restriction endonuclease digestion of mtDNAs of Carassius auratus gibelio, C. a. cavieri and C. a. auratus. Chinese Journal of Fisheries. 16: 120-129.

12) Zhang, S.-M., Zeng, Y., Zhang, X. (1992) Nucleolar organizer regions in four species of fishes. Chromosome Information Service. 53: 6-8.

11) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, X. Z. (1992) Advance in transgenic fish. Biotechnology. 2: 1-6.

10) Zhang, S.-M. (1992) The latest progress in chromosome sets manipulation in fish, Guwaishuchan. 3: 25-29.

9) Zhang, S.-M., Reddy, P. V. G. K. (1991) On comparative karyomorphology of three Indian major carps, Catla catla (Hamilton), Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton). Aquaculture. 97: 7-12.

8) Zhang, S.-M., Long, H. (1991) MtDNA analysis of snakehead using restriction endonuclease. Freshwater Fisheries. 4: 38-39.

7) Zhang, S.-M., Reddy, P. V. G. K., Khan, H. K. (1991) Karyomorphological studies in four species of fishes from India. Veterinarski Arhir. 61: 57-62.

6) Qian, H. X., Zhang, S.-M. (1991) Application of cell culture technology to fisheries sciences. Freshwater Fisheries. 5: 40-42.

5) Zhang, X. Z., Feng, G. H., Zhang, S.-M., Wang, K. (1991) Investigation on germplasmic resources of freshwater bream from Yuni lake, Hubei. Freshwater Fisheries. 3: 12-16.

4) Zhang, S.-M. (1990) Karyotypic studies in two species of Chanda (Centropomidae: Pisces). Chromosome Information Service. 49: 7-9.

3) Zhang, S.-M. (1990) Fish cyto-engineering and its applications. Chinese Journal of Zoology. 25: 41-45.

2) Zhang, S.-M. (1990) Somatic chromosomes of two air-breathing fishes Chanapunctatus (Bloch) and Hereopneustersfossilis (Bloch). Journal of Applied Zoological Research. 1: 7-10.

1) Zhang, S.-M., Zhang, X. Z. (1989) A rapid method of removing chorion from eggs of crucian carp, Carassiusauratus. Journal of Zoological Research. 2: 43-46.