Teaching And researching
I
n the 2010ʻs, Dr. Liang Feng was still a student in Tsinghua University in Beijing. There, one of his professors taught him that fundamental theses and equations are the most important bases of biology and the present-day fi eld of medical technology. To illustrate, he used a “hill equation” to describe enzyme kinetics or hemoglobin saturation with oxygen. Everything about enzyme kinetics and hemoglobin saturation with oxygen has to follow
this equation. Itʻs just like the “system settings” of this world. But Liang grappled with the question: Who made those settings? Humanityʻs current technology is far from being able to answer this question, and chances are that we will never be able to answer it.
It occurred to Liang that the only one who could do that is God, who sets the laws for everything. This realization led him to church, to
learn about Christianity, and eventually to become a devout Christian. Professor Feng said: “Christianity has given me a stronger faith and has encouraged me to gain something both in teaching and research.”
Professor Feng has a very keen perspective on observing things and is good at refl ecting on knowledge. These qualities have helped to make him a pioneering researcher in cell membrane transport proteins while also being an inspirational teacher to aspiring researchers. Feng believes we should “talk to other people so we can often get new ideas or inspiration from other people. Or sometimes Iʻll fi nd very different things. So I think thatʻs important.”
Considering that, he uses novel teaching methods to cultivate studentsʻ innovative thinking and help they fully understand microscopic structures.
Liang was born in a remote region in the southwest part of China. He went to Tsinghua University in Beijing for college and studied biology there. Afterwards, he went to Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He got a masterʻs degree in biochemistry there. Then afterwards, He came to the United States and went to Princeton Universi-
ty to study biology, where he studied protein structure and biochemistry. Consequently, he really got very interested in studies of proteins. So he went to Rockefeller University in New York City. A few years later, Liang got a job at Stanford while doing his research there until today.
During this period of time, he made a lot of achievements. For the fi rst time, Liang and other researchers created a protein transporter simulation of sugar molecules across cell membranes, providing insight into the development of neurotransmitter drugs for treatment of psychiatric disorders like depression. They also co-wrote the paper releasing the results of the simulation in the acclaimed scientifi c journal, Cell. Thatʻs why he remains critical today.
He guided students to build 3D accurate models to gain a deeper understanding of the microscopic physiological structure of the human body. He can explain complex topics with simple words and examples. For example, he compares cells to submarines: when cells exchange materials, the cell walls act like the submarineʻs hatch. When people enter, the submarine will fi rst let the water and people enter the fi rst door. After closing the door, the water will be drained, and then the second door will be opened so that people can come in. However, the function of cell membrane transport proteins is to allow only needed substances to enter and to expel harmful substances out. (Feng)
“I f youʻre interested in biology, you can always start to get to know more about our biological systems. But on the other hand, so many things can be anterior apply or interface with biology, for example. Chemistry, right? Or physics or mathematics or engineering. SoW many things you can learn about, righ t? So thatʻs actually a good interface to biology. So I donʻt think itʻs really necessary for you to learn very early on and just focus on biology. Regardless of whether we approach it from the perspective of chemistry, mathematics, or physics, the outcome remains the same. For example, in our graduate program, our students have a resume of mathematics because of the quantity of thinking about various sounding backgrounds in chemistry and physics,” Liang said.
Liang once felt confused about his future career, when he was at Tsinghua University. In China at that time, staying in the country to engage in scientifi c research was not a good choice, and research was not free. Moreover, Christianity is subject to strict restrictions by the government, and Christians are not allowed to attend church gatherings on weekends. Finally, on the recommendation of a friend in the church, Liang chose to come to the United States.
Since Liang is an immigrant from China, he encountered many cultural differences which hindered his daily communication with students and colleagues. “In the US, people always say words like awesome, fantastic or something like that. But we almost never say things like that. When I was in China, If you say “this
is okay “it means “very good “in English or excellent. That always causes misunderstanding. So word choice is very different in terms of how they say “no”. For example, in China, if I say “not bad” which means actually very good or excellent. But in the U.S. it is not bad, which probably most people interpret as seeing them as no good. I never really use “awesome” or “terrifi c” ...... Anyway, this kind of words now once you get used to it, you will fi nd out that it is not a big problem.” Once, when Liang was having a conversation with a student who did an excellent job on the experiment, Liang said: “Itʻs not bad”. Soon after, the student did the whole experiment all over again and asked him: “How did I do this time?” Liang was confused: “What you completed last time was good enough, why do you need to do it again?” The student said, I thought you were not satisfi ed with the experiment I completed before. After experiencing these small misunderstandings, Liang got along very well with students and colleagues.
Despite the initial cultural differences that hindered Liangʻs communication with students and colleagues, his experiences ultimately led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. Through small misunderstandings and miscommunications, Liang learned to navigate the nuances of language and word choice,
bridging the gap between his Chinese background and the American context. As he seamlessly transitioned from discussing experiment results to groundbreaking medical research, Liangʻs ability to adapt and connect across cultures became a valuable asset in both his personal and professional life
His research extended beyond the fundamental understanding of cell membrane transport proteins to the practical application of this knowledge in the medical fi eld. His objectives included analyzing and enhancing medications for high blood pressure and diabetes, two prevalent chronic conditions. By focusing on the molecular mechanisms of these diseases, Dr. Feng aims to develop more effective treatments that can better manage these conditions, potentially improving the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide. His work is particularly signifi cant as it contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat the global health challenges posed by diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Lproteins. By remaining at the forefront of this fi eld at Stanford, Dr. Feng is strategically positioned to collaborate with leading experts and utilize cutting-edge facilities, thereby maximizing the potential for signifi cant advancements in healthcare. His vision is to translate his research fi ndings into tangible improvements in therapeutic interventions, ultimately setting new standards in the management and treatment of chronic diseases.
A“Our job is to identify what are basic laws behind those phenomenas.”
ll things considered, Professor Liang Feng of Stanfordʻs Medicine Department is at the vanguard of cell membrane transport protein research and serves as a source of motivation for the next generation of scientists. His dual role as a researcher and educator is shaping the future of medical science and mentorship.
iangʻs ambition is to forge new paths in the treatment of diseases through his dedicated research at Stanford University. His commitment to this cause is unwavering, as he believes that the key to major medical breakthroughs lies in the intricate study of cell membrane transport
