Dr. Li Zhang
- Position: Senior Lecturer
- Room: 301B, Biological Sciences
- Phone: (+61 2) 9385 2042
- Fax: (+61 2) 9385 1483
- email: l.zhang@unsw.edu.au
Education
MBBS, Fudan University (Former Shanghai Medical University) China
PhD, University of Cambridge UK
Professional Experience
Lecturer (Medical Microbiology)/Senior Research Associate, BABS, UNSW
Post-Doctoral Fellow, BABS, UNSW
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dept of Immunology, UNSW
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. Singapore
Resident, China-Japan Hospital, China
Research Contribution
Over the past 5 years my main research activity has been focused on investigating the role of mucus-associated bacteria in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD, which consists of Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is also a risk factor for colon cancer.
Over the past decades, the incidence of IBD has increased significantly in both developed and developing countries. Strong evidence from both animal and human studies indicates that a bacterial component is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. However, despite intensive research, the exact causative agents remain unknown. Consequently, both CD and UC are incurable.
Recently, together with other colleagues and medical professionals in Sydney and overseas, we have discovered an association between the presence of non-jejuni Campylobacter species, particularly Campylobacter concisus, and CD in children. This finding is the first reported worldwide, and has great potential to generate a significant impact on the treatment of IBD as well as on research into non-jejuni Campylobacter species.
My other newly expanding research areas include investigations into immune responses towards C. concisus in patients with IBD, mucosal immunity and the possible role of oral microorganisms in some autoimmune diseases.
Active Research Projects
- Investigation of the Possible Involvement of Oral Bacterial Species in Human Autoimmune Diseases
- Investigation of How Diarrhoea Affects the Natural Colonisation Niche of Enterohepatic Helicobacter and Campylobacter Species
- Investigation of How Persistent Gastrointestinal Bacterial Infection Affects Mucosal Immunity
- Investigation of the Immune Responses to Non-jejuni Campylobacter Species in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Controls
Publications
- Zhang, L, Man, SM, Day, AS, Leach, ST, Lemberg, DA, Dutt, S, Stormon, M, Otley, A, O'Loughlin, T, Magoffin, A, Ng, PHY, Mitchell, H. (2009)
- Detection and isolation of non-jejuni Campylobacter species from children with Crohn's disease
- J Clin Microbiol; 121(1): 54-60
- Zhang L, Su P, Henriksson A, O’Rourke J, Mitchell H. (2008)
- Investigation of the immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis on Helicobacter pylori infection
- Helicobacter, 13 (3): 183-190
- Man S, Zhang L, Day A, Leach S, Mitchell H. (2008)
- Detection of enterohepatic and gastric Helicobacter species in fecal specimens of children with Crohn’s disease
- Helicobacter, 13(4):234-8
- Leach, TS., Mitchell, MH., Eng, RW., Zhang, L., Day, SA. (2008)
- Sustained modulation of intestinal bacteria by exclusive enteral nutrition used to treat children with Crohn's disease
- Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics; 28:724-733
- Leach ST, Mitchell HM, Eng WR, Zhang L and Day AS. (2008)
- Sustained modulation of intestinal bacteria by exclusive enteral nutrition used to treat children with Crohn's disease.
- Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 28: 724-733.
- Dong Q, Zhang L, Goh K, Forman D, O'Rourke J, Harris A, Mitchell H. (2007)
- Identification and characterisation of ssrA in members of the Helicobacter genus
- Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek; 92(3):301-7
- Zhang L, Day A, McKenzie G, Mitchell H. (2006)
- Non-gastric Helicobacter species detected in the intestinal tract of children
- J Clin Microbiol; 44:2276-2279.
- Zhang L, Day A, Dong Q, Mitchell H. (2006)
- Avoiding errors in the identification and 16S rRNA sequencing data of members of the Helicobacteriaceae family detected in clinical samples.
- Helicobacter; 11(2): 131-133
- Zhang L and Mitchell H. (2006)
- The roles of mucus associated bacteria in IBD
- Drugs of Today; 42(9): 605-616
- Chan V, Crocetti G, Grehan M, Zhang L, Danon S, Lee A, Mitchell HM. (2005)
- Visualisation of Helicobacter species within the murine caecal mucosa using specific Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation.
- Helicobacter;10:114-124
- Zhang L, Danon S, Grehan M, Chan V, Lee A, Mitchell H. (2005)
- Natural colonisation with Helicobacter species and the development of inflammatory bowel disease in interleukin-10-deficient mice
- Helicobacter; 10(3): 223-230
- Zhang L, Danon S, Grehan M, Lee A, Mitchell H (2005)
- The template DNA ratio can affect the detection by genus specific PCR- denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of bacteria present in low abundance in mixed populations
- Helicobacter;10:80-82