1.微生物合成糖胺聚糖类化合物研究：
糖胺聚糖类化合物在药物和膳食补充剂市场中占有不可替代的地位。非动物源糖胺聚糖类化合物的微生物生产方法是研究的前沿领域。我们通过构建基因工程菌株，实现相关分子中间产物和第二代糖胺聚糖类化合物的体外合成，期望能完全取代第一代产品，从而推动原创技术的开发和产业链的升级。目前，我们已经成功地克服了合成多糖碳链骨架和磺基供体分子PAPS等关键技术难题。
2.微生物生理及基因调控机理研究：
通过研究微生物的生理及基因调控机制，揭示微生物如何在复杂的环境条件下调节基因表达以响应环境变化，为研究复杂生物系统的调控机制提供模型;为微生物在工业生产和环境保护中的应用提供理论基础。
1.合成硫酸软骨素研究（W2021JSKF0024）,主持
2.国家自然科学基金面上项目(31670120) ,主持
3.中国科学院慢性疾病重点实验室项目(KLIICD-201503) ,主持
4.校企联合技术开发项目(113-433102) ,主持
5.合肥工业大学人才引进启动基金(407-037064) ,主持
代表性论文
1.Yu Y, Gong B, Wang H, Yang G, Zhou X (2022) Chromosome evolution of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 for high-level production of heparosan. Biotechnol Bioeng 120:1081-1096 doi: 10.1002/bit.28315
2.Wu D, Li X, Yu Y, Gong B, Zhou X (2021) Heparin stimulates biofilm formation of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917. Biotechnol Lett 43:235-246 doi: 10.1007/s10529-020-03019-4
.Shi H, Tang J, An C, Yang L, Zhou X (2021) Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus strain NCTC8325 interacted with heparin. Arch Microbiol 203:2563-2573 doi: 10.1007/s00203-021-02255-0
4.Li X et al. (2021) The construction of a dual-functional strain that produces both polysaccharides and sulfotransferases. Biotechnol Lett 43:1831-1844 doi: 10.1007/s10529-021-03156-4
5.Yu Y, Ye H, Wu D, Shi H, Zhou X (2019) Chemoenzymatic quantification for monitoring unpurified polysaccharide in rich medium. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 103:7635-7645 doi: 10.1007/s00253-019-10042-7
6.An C, Zhao L, Wei Z, Zhou X (2017) Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate coupling with an ATP regeneration system. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 101:7535-7544 doi: 10.1007/s00253-017-8511-2
7.Yan H, Bao F, Zhao L, Yu Y, Tang J, Zhou X (2015) Cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein-cAMP complex regulates heparosan production in Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81:7687-7696 doi: 10.1128/aem.01814-15
8.Bao F, Yan H, Sun H, Yang P, Liu G, Zhou X (2015) Hydrolysis of by-product adenosine diphosphate from 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate preparation using Nudix hydrolase NudJ. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99:10771-10778 doi: 10.1007/s00253-015-6911-8
9.Zhou X, Li L, Linhardt RJ, Liu J (2013) Neutralizing the anticoagulant activity of ultra-low-molecular-weight heparins using N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase. FEBS Journal 280:2523-2532 doi: 10.1111/febs.12169
10.Zhou X, Chandarajoti K, Pham TQ, Liu R, Liu J (2011) Expression of heparan sulfate sulfotransferases in Kluyveromyces lactis and preparation of 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate. Glycobiology 21:771-780 doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwr001
11.Zhou X, Meng X, Sun B (2008) An EAL domain protein and cyclic AMP contribute to the interaction between the two quorum sensing systems in Escherichia coli. Cell research 18:937-948 doi: 10.1038/cr.2008.67
