Prof. ZHOU Congzhao from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) was invited to IHB on May 29, 2023. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. ZHOU Congzhao from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) was invited to the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on May 29, 2023 for an academic exchange. He delivered a lecture titled "Cyanophage: Structure, Function and Application".    

During the lecture, Prof. Zhou introduced his team's use of bioinformatics, structural biology, and molecular ecology techniques to analyze the structure of cyanophages. He also highlighted the application of cyanophages in algal bloom warning and control. The team isolated, screened, and purified 12 strains of cyanophages with different tail types from Lake Chaohu. Through whole-genome sequencing and analysis, they conducted virtual cyanophage mining and constructed a genomic database for 20 strains of freshwater cyanobacterial cyanophages.    

Prof. Zhou's team also conducted in-depth research on the specific interactions and co-evolution of cyanobacteria and their cyanophages to reveal the biochemical basis of algal bloom outbreaks. This research serves the efficient utilization of cyanobacteria and the warning and control of algal bloom pollution.   

Prof. Zhou currently serves as the vice president of the University of Science and Technology of China. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Life Sciences and a researcher at the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale (Research Center). He has published over 100 research papers in journals.