Luwen Zhang

Luwen Zhang is a Professor at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he maintains an active research laboratory focused on virology and immunology. His research program integrates molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and pathology to investigate critical aspects of virus-host interactions. Dr. Zhang's laboratory is situated in the MOLR 238 building on the Lincoln campus, with contact information readily available for collaboration and inquiry.

Dr. Zhang earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1993, following an MS from Shandong Agricultural University in China (1987) and a BS in Biology from Shandong University (1984). His educational background provided the foundation for his distinguished career in virology research.

Dr. Zhang's research interests center on three major areas: the role of Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs) in EBV transformation, the connection between Epstein-Barr virus and autoimmune diseases (particularly multiple sclerosis), and virus-stem cell interactions. He was the first to discover IRF-7, a critical gene in viral transformation and innate immunity. His work employs both genetic and biochemical approaches to dissect cellular factors and signaling pathways involved in viral pathogenesis. Recently, his laboratory has expanded into generating personalized hiPSC genetic systems for various applications and using iPSC-derived stem cells to study viral infections.

Analysis of Dr. Zhang's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on interferon regulatory factors, Epstein-Barr virus pathogenesis, and connections between viral infections and autoimmune conditions. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, with increasing attention to post-COVID infectious disease dynamics and immune system adaptations. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, frequently involving colleagues from immunology, evolutionary biology, and clinical medicine.

Dr. Zhang has maintained a productive research program with consistent publication output across multiple high-impact journals including Journal of Virology, PLoS One, and Journal of Biological Chemistry. His work has evolved from early studies on dengue and hepatitis C viruses to specialized research on herpesviruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. The laboratory employs a range of techniques including molecular biology, cell culture, animal models, and bioinformatics approaches to address fundamental questions in virology.