Skip to main content

Pei Zhou

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Duke Box 3711, Durham, NC 27710
270 Sands Building, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


The Zhou lab focuses on the elucidation of the structure and dynamics of protein–protein and protein–ligand interactions and their functions in various cellular processes. Our current efforts are directed at enzymes and protein complexes involved in bacterial membrane biosynthesis, translesion DNA synthesis, co-transcriptional regulation, and host-pathogen interactions. Our investigations of these important cellular machineries have led to the development of novel antibiotics and cancer therapeutics, as well as the establishment of new biotechnology adventures.

The Zhou lab integrates a variety of biochemical and biophysical tools, including NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and enzymology. The lab has played a major role in the development and application of innovative NMR technologies, including high-resolution, high-dimensional spectral reconstruction techniques.

Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations


James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry · 2025 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Biochemistry · 2015 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments
Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Biochemistry · 2026 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Chemistry · 2015 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2001 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent News Items


Published March 25, 2025
Duke Honors 31 New Distinguished Professors

View All News Items

Recent Scholarly Works


DENV-4 infection suppresses transcription of DNA repair genes.

Journal article Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · August 11, 2026 The molecular mechanisms behind Dengue virus-dependent host pathogenesis, especially genome instability, remain largely unclear. This RNA virus causes a debilitating disease during active infection and presents future risks of postdengue syndromes, leukemi ... Full text Link to item Cite

MESH1-mediated coenzyme A degradation drives ferroptosis sensitivity and muscle pathology.

Journal article J Clin Invest · June 1, 2026 CoA facilitates fatty acid synthesis, energy production, gene regulation, and antioxidant function. While CoA biosynthesis is well characterized, the mechanisms governing CoA degradation remain poorly understood. Here, we identify the Metazoan Homolog of S ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
View All Scholarly Works

Recent Grants


LpxH Inhibitors as Novel Therapeutics Against Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Interferon-inducible cell-autonomous immunity to cytosolic bacterial pathogens

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2024 - 2028

Inhibiting Rev1-mediated DNA translesion synthesis for cancer therapy

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2028

View All Grants

Education


Harvard University · 1998 Ph.D.