Prof. Yong Q Zhang's groundbreaking work in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric research

2025.05.12.

In a recent lecture titled “Beagle Dogs as a Genetic Model for Studying Social Behavior and Mental Disorder,” Prof. Yong Q Zhang shed light on his groundbreaking work in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric research. Prof. Zhang currently serves as Chair Professor at the School of Life Sciences and Director of the Center for Brain Function and Disorders at Hubei University. Prior to this, he spent nearly two decades at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Prof. Zhang’s research spans a wide spectrum of brain-related topics, with a particular focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). His innovative approach leverages a variety of model organisms—from fruit flies to nonhuman primates and now laboratory Beagle dogs—to explore the biological mechanisms behind social behavior and mental health disorders.

While his earlier work centered on synaptic development and function in fruit flies, in the past decade he has expanded his focus to include Beagle dogs as a translational model. Using cutting-edge techniques such as gene editing, brain imaging, electrophysiology, behavioral testing, and cognitive analysis, Dr. Zhang and his team aim to uncover the underlying causes of autism and explore potential therapeutic strategies.

His work represents a unique intersection of genetics, neuroscience, and animal modeling, offering new hope for understanding and treating complex mental disorders like autism. Prof. Zhang was invited to give a lecture to the De