Zhening Zhang

Papers

Total Citations

263

H-Index

About

Zhening Zhang is a leading figure in structural biology, whose research has revolutionized cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) sample preparation. His primary contributions address a critical bottleneck in the field: the adsorption of protein particles to the air-water interface during vitrification, which often induces preferred orientations and compromises structural resolution. Zhang’s landmark 2018 paper, “Reducing effects of particle adsorption to the air–water interface in cryo-EM,” has garnered 237 citations, underscoring its profound impact. In this work, he demonstrated that using the Spotiton robot and nanowire grids significantly reduces particle adsorption, enabling more uniform particle distribution and higher-quality reconstructions. This innovation built on his earlier development of “Self-Blotting Nanowire Grids for Cryo-EM Sample Preparation” (2017), which automated the creation of vitreous ice of optimal thickness. By tackling these fundamental challenges, Zhang has made high-resolution structural determination more accessible and reliable, directly benefiting researchers studying macromolecular complexes. His work is essential reading for anyone seeking to overcome sample preparation hurdles in single-particle cryo-EM.