He Zhao

He Zhao is a Researcher at The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, specializing in molecular plant-pathogen interactions and disease resistance mechanisms. His work focuses on effector-triggered immunity in model and crop plants against oomycete pathogens.

Research centers on NLR immune receptor function and pathogen effector recognition, particularly in Arabidopsis thaliana and potato systems. Key investigations include how paralogous NLR proteins (WRR4A/WRR4B) confer broad-spectrum recognition of Albugo candida effectors, and the mechanism by which conserved RXLR-WY effectors enable cross-species resistance against Phytophthora. This work bridges fundamental immune signaling with translational crop protection strategies.

Recent publications demonstrate his contributions to understanding conserved resistance mechanisms applicable to white rust and late blight diseases. His 2023 New Phytologist study revealed paralogous NLR recognition of multiple effectors, while the 2022 Molecular Plant paper identified a broadly protective resistance mechanism against Phytophthora effectors.

Affiliated with The Sainsbury Laboratory, a world-leading plant-microbe interaction research institute, his work contributes to fundamental knowledge of plant immunity with implications for sustainable agriculture.