Lijun Zhou

Lijun Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is also affiliated with the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, where he conducts research at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and the origins of life.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (2008)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (2013)

Dr. Zhou's research focuses on understanding the chemical principles underlying the emergence of life, particularly the origin and early evolution of RNA. His work spans nucleic acid chemistry, non-natural nucleic acids (XNA), in vitro selection, RNA-protein interactions, structural biology, and artificial cells. He investigates how RNA could have formed and replicated non-enzymatically under prebiotic conditions, contributing to the RNA World hypothesis. His lab employs chemical synthesis, biophysical assays, and systems chemistry approaches to explore the functional and structural properties of early genetic polymers.

His recent publications (2020–2024) reveal a strong thematic focus on non-enzymatic RNA replication mechanisms, including template-directed copying, ligation, and the role of alternative nucleobases and environmental conditions. These studies frequently appear in top-tier journals such as Nucleic Acids Research, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and PNAS Nexus, often in collaboration with Nobel laureate Jack W. Szostak. The work integrates experimental models with theoretical frameworks like the virtual circular genome to explain primordial replication dynamics.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards mentioned in the provided text.

Dr. Zhou advises graduate students through his affiliations with the Cell and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Groups. While specific grant funding is not detailed, his research program is clearly supported by institutional and likely federal or private foundation resources given the scale and impact of his work. His lab contributes to foundational knowledge in prebiotic chemistry and synthetic biology, with implications for astrobiology and biotechnology.

He is actively involved in experimental testing of models for primordial RNA replication, including studies on base pairing anomalies (e.g., 2-thiouridine), environmental compatibility (e.g., soda lakes), and kinetic biases in nonenzymatic copying. His team explores how early genetic systems might have achieved sufficient fidelity and efficiency to kickstart molecular evolution.