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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 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

In the News


Published March 25, 2025
Duke Honors 31 New Distinguished Professors

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Recent Publications


MESH1 functions as a metazoan PAPS phosphatase to regulate sulfation.

Journal Article Nat Chem Biol · April 10, 2026 Biological sulfation reactions require 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as the universal sulfate donor. While the biosynthetic pathway of PAPS has been well characterized, the phosphatase degrading PAPS remains unidentified. Here, we discover M ... Full text Link to item Cite

Structure-Based Discovery of a New LpxH-Targeted Chemotype with Activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Journal Article J Med Chem · March 26, 2026 Gram-negative pathogens are difficult to treat because their outer membrane, enriched with lipid A-anchored lipopolysaccharide, serves as a protective barrier to many antibiotics. LpxH, an essential dimanganese hydrolase in lipid A biosynthesis, represents ... Full text Link to item Cite

Identification of 4,5,6,7-Tetrabromo-1H-benzotriazole (TBB) as a Small Molecule MESH1 Inhibitor that Suppresses Ferroptosis.

Journal Article bioRxiv · February 20, 2026 Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and contributes to diverse pathologies including ischemia-reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative disorders. Current ferroptosis inhibitors largely function as nonsp ... Full text Link to item Cite
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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

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Education


Harvard University · 1998 Ph.D.