CPS Grad Spotlight - Xiaohan Zhou
Name: Xiaohan Zhou
MSc or PhD Candidate: PhD Candidate
Location of Undergraduate Education: HBSc., Nanjing University
Name of the Lab at CPS: Gradinaru Lab
Selected Awards: Best Oral Presentation at the Trainee Session (23rd GPCR Retreat), CPS Research Visit Fellowship Program (2023)
Selected Research Contributions:
Local Confinement within Plasma Membrane Nanodomains Drives Constitutive Activity of GPCRs: Zhou, X.; Shemeteva, M.; Picard, L.; Simon, F.; Brown, A; Dhillon G.; Weiss, L.E.; Prosser, R.S.; Gradinaru, C.C. (bioRxiv 2026.02.17.706370; https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.17.706370)
Diffusion and Oligomerization States of the Muscarinic M1 Receptor in Live Cells − The Impact of Ligands and Membrane Disruptors: Zhou, X.; Septien-Gonzalez, H.; Husaini, S.; Ward, R. J.; Milligan, G.; Gradinaru, C. C. (Journal of Physical Chemistry B2024, 128, 18, 4354–4366.)
Single-molecule counting applied to the study of GPCR oligomerization: Milstein, J. N.; Nino, D. F.; Zhou, X.; Gradinaru, C. C. (Biophysical Journal 2022, 121 (17), 3175-3187.)
Xiaohan, please tell us about yourself and your journey as a PhD Candidate!
How did you come to UTM? What interested you to join a lab here?
During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to explore several branches of physics, including high-energy physics and computational biophysics. While I found these experiences valuable, I became increasingly interested in gaining hands-on experience to better understand how biological systems function in real-world contexts. In the final year of my undergraduate program, I specifically sought out opportunities in experimental biophysics.
At UTM in the Gradinaru lab. I was impressed by how advanced optical and biophysical techniques can be applied to study biomacromolecules at the single-molecule level, imagine detecting individual proteins among millions in living systems over extended timescales. I was also impressed by the strong culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange within the group; discussions were consistently insightful and productive. In addition, the CPS community played an important role in my decision, both staff and fellow graduate students were welcoming and supportive, making it an environment I was excited to join.
When did you realize that you wanted to pursue graduate study?
I first considered graduate studies when I began doing research in the third year of my undergraduate program. The transition was initially challenging, since I had to shift from structured learning with well-defined problems to open-ended research, where the path forward and outcomes are often uncertain.
A defining moment came during a summer research experience when I worked on computational models of cell volume regulation mediated by ion channels. Because the project was at a quite initial stage, there were limited resources to guide model construction. As a result, even small insights felt like meaningful contributions. That experience of incrementally expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge was both motivating and rewarding, and it ultimately solidified my decision to pursue graduate research.
What are your research interests? Tell us few exciting things about your research.
My research focuses on the quaternary structure and signaling mechanisms of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly their allosteric interactions with extracellular ligands and intracellular signaling partners such as G proteins.
These systems have been extensively studied using structural biology techniques like cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography. While these methods provide high-resolution structural information and important ensemble-averaged insights, they are generally limited in capturing real-time conformational dynamics and transient protein–protein interactions in living cells.
To address this, I use single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of GPCR signaling in live cells. One key aspect of my work involves developing intermolecular sensors that can report GPCR activation with nanometer-scale sensitivity. What makes this research particularly exciting is the integration of multiple sensitive biophysical approaches to study GPCRs as the most pharmacologically important families of membrane proteins.
Ultimately, this work aims to bridge the gap between static structural information and dynamic functional output, enabling us to observe how GPCR conformational changes relate to signaling activity in real time and in native cellular environments. This framework could also help improve our understanding of how drugs modulate receptor function.
What is your goal when you finish your degree?
I hope to continue contributing to the scientific community, although I have not yet decided whether that will be in academia or industry. I enjoy staying engaged with emerging research and developing new ideas and experimental approaches, and I would like to continue pursuing that after I graduate.
What are some of your achievements you'd like to share?
In 2023, I was awarded the CPS Research Visit Fellowship, which supported a three-month research stay in the Milligan lab at the University of Glasgow. Our group has a long-standing collaboration with Professor Graeme Milligan, a leading researcher in GPCR pharmacology, particularly in the context of the central nervous system.
This experience allowed me to gain hands-on training in molecular biology techniques and live-cell fluorescence assays that are central to my PhD research. It also provided the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and access specialized resources. Using these skills, I investigated the constitutive signaling properties of two GPCRs.
I later presented this work at the 23rd GPCR Retreat in Bromont, Quebec (May 2025), where I received the Best Oral Presentation award in the trainee session.
Do you have any advice for students considering to pursue graduate studies in research?
My main advice is to focus on communication, patience, and mindset.
Clear communication is essential in research—whether you are discussing ideas with your supervisor, troubleshooting with lab members, or presenting your work. Asking questions early and sharing challenges openly can save a significant amount of time and prevent unnecessary frustration.
Patience is equally important. Research is often slow and unpredictable, so it helps to view it as a long-term process rather than a sequence of setbacks. Treating challenges as part of your daily work, rather than obstacles to overcome, can make difficult periods more manageable.
Finally, make reading a consistent habit. Regularly engaging with the literature not only deepens your understanding but also helps you develop ideas, recognize patterns, and think more critically. Over time, this will make you more independent and confident as a researcher.
