Chen Lab's research revolves around the common theme of cell signaling and host defense
We are broadly interested in mechanisms of signal transduction, namely how a cell communicates with its surroundings and within itself. In particular, we are fascinated by how a cell detects harmful or foreign insults and mounts an appropriate response to restore homeostasis.
Meet the Team
Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
George L. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
Member of National Academy of Sciences
Information about Dr. Chen's education and honors can be found via the link below.
Recent News & Discoveries
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen Awarded the 2024 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award
On March 14, 2025, Zhijian ‘James’ Chen will be awarded the 2024 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for discovering the cGAS enzyme that senses foreign and self DNA, solving the mystery of how DNA stimulates immune and inflammatory responses.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen will be awarded the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 2025
Along with Andrea Ablasser and Glen Barber, Zhijian ‘James’ Chen will be awarded the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 2025, Germany’s highest honor in the field of medicine. The Paul Ehrlich Prize will be presented in Frankfurt on March 14, 2025.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen and Glen Barber Awarded Horwitz Prize for Discovering the cGAS-STING Pathway
Chen and Barber are the 112th and 113th winners of the Horwitz Prize, which is awarded annually by Columbia University for groundbreaking work in medical science.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen Awarded the 2018 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences
April 3, 2018
Dr. Chen was awarded the 2018 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences for discovery of the enzyme cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) and its corresponding pathway, which solved a century-old mystery about DNA.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen Awarded the 2019 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Dr. Chen was awarded the 2019 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for elucidating how DNA triggers immune and autoimmune responses from the interior of a cell through the discovery of the DNA-sensing enzyme cGAS.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen won the 2019 Switzer Prize
November 20, 2019
Dr. Chen won the 2019 Switzer Prize, which recognizes excellence in basic biological science.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen won William B. Coley Award in Basic and Tumor Immunology
September 25, 2020
Dr. Chen has won the 2020 William B. Coley Award in Basic and Tumor Immunology for discovering a pathway now being used in the fight against cancer.
Zhijian ‘James’ Chen was elected to the National Academy of Medicine
October 2022
Dr. Chen was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for discovering the DNA sensing enzyme cGAS and its product cGAMP and discovering MAVS, which mediates immune defense against RNA viruses.
Phosphorylation of innate immune adaptor protiens MAVS, STING, and TRIF induces IRF3 activation.
Science 347: aaa2630
Lead Author: Siqi Liu
Zhijian "James" Chen is elected to the National Academy of Sciences
President Podolsky (left) and Dr. Olson (right), Chairman of Molecualar Biology, celebrate his election during a reception.
Functional prions in innate immune signaling
Zin's paper on prion-like polymerization of MAVS and ASC in cell signaling was recently published by Cell.
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