Research

Understanding how the brain's sex differences, from molecular levels to circuits, collectively shape sex-specific behavioral traits poses a significant challenge in neuroscience. Across species, innate behaviors display notable variations between sexes, and many neuro-psychiatric disorders exhibit differences in prevalence and clinical features based on sex. Therefore, our research integrates machine learning-driven behavioral analysis, neural circuit mapping, and modulation techniques to explore: 1) the sex-specific aspects of innate behaviors and their neural circuitry, and 2) the variations in innate behaviors and their neural mechanisms across different brain states.

王枫，医学博士，研究员。主要研究方向：综合运用基于机器学习的精细行为分析、神经环路示踪与调控技术来揭示：①本能行为的性别差异性特征及其神经环路机制；②不同脑状态下本能行为变异及其神经机制。主持1项科技创新2030—“脑科学与类脑研究”青年科学家项目（2022~2027）、1项国家自然科学基金面上项目（2024~2027）、1项深圳市基础研究重点项目（2023~2025）；发表SCI收录论文37篇，其中通讯作者（含共同）论文15篇。 

Positions available in Wang Lab at SIAT
The lab is interested in recruiting highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellows to study the underlying neural circuitry mechanisms in innate behaviors and brain disorders. Candidates shall send their CV to feng.wang@siat.ac.cn

实验室已建立完善的跨学科研究平台，现常年提供博士后研究岗位，并招收研究生（含联合培养），欢迎对神经科学感兴趣的生物学、医学、计算机专业等相关专业背景的候选人联系（feng.wang@siat.ac.cn）。

Biography

2022-        Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Principal Investigator

2018-2022 Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Associate Investigator

2013-2015 Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Postdoctoral Fellow 

2012-2018 Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Lecturer and Attending

2009-2012 Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Ph.D

2006-2009 Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, M.Sc

2001-2006 Clinical Medicine, The 4^th Military Medical University, M.D

Selected publications

1. Liu JJ^#, Ye JL, Ji CY, Ren WT, He YW, Xu FQ^*, Wang F^*. Mapping the behavioral signatures of Shank3bmice in both sexes. Neurosci Bull. 2024. Online ahead of print
2. Li XL^#, Zhou Y,Wang F^*, Wang LP^*. Sex-dimorphic kidney-brain connectivity map of mice. Neurosci Bull. 2024. Online ahead of print
3. Huang HR^#, Liu X^#, Wang LP,Wang F^*. Whole-brain connections of glutamatergic neurons in the mouse lateral habenula in both sexes. Biol Sex Differ. 2024 Apr 23;15(1):37.
4. Liu XL^#, Zhao GY^#, Huang HR, Ye JL, Xu JF, Zhou Y, Zhu XJ, Wang LP,Wang F^*. Lifespan changes in cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA expression in the female C57BL/6J mouse brain. J Comp Neurol. 2023 Feb;531(2):294-313.
5. Liu X^#, Feng XL^#, Huang H^#, Huang K, Xu Y, Ye SW, Tseng YT, Wei PF, Wang LP, Wang F*. Male and female mice display consistent lifelong ability to address potential life-threatening cues using different post-threat coping strategies. BMC Biology. 2022 Dec 15;20(1):281.
6. Liu X^#, Huang H^#, Zhang YL, Wang L, Wang F*. Sexual dimorphism of inputs to the lateral habenula in mice. Neurosci Bull. 2022 Dec;38(12):1439-1456.
7. Liu X^#, Huang HR^#, Terrance S, Cao P, Wang LP,Wang F^*. The superior colliculus: cell types, connectivity and behavior. Neurosci Bull. 2022 Dec;38(12):1519-1540.
8. Zhang YL^#, Ke J^#, Zhou Y, Liu X, Huang TW*, Wang F*. Sex-specific characteristics of cells expressing the cannabinoid 1 receptor in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. J Comp Neurol. 2022 Oct;530(14):2451-2473. 
9. Yang C^#, LiuJ^#, Wang J, Yin A, Jiang Z, Ye S, Liu X, Zhang X, Wang F^*, Xiong L^* Activation of astroglial CB₁R mediates cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by electroacupuncture. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2021;41(9):2295-2310. 
10. Liu X^#, Li X^#, Zhao G, Wang F^*, Wang LP. Sexual dimorphic distribution of cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA in adult C57BL/6J mice. J Comp Neuro.2020;528(12):1986-1999.
11. WangF^#, Han J^#, Higashimori H^#, Wang J^#, Liu J, Tong L, Yang Y, Dong H, Zhang X^*, Xiong L^*. Long-term depression induced by endogenous cannabinoids produces neuroprotection via astroglial CB₁R after stroke in rodents. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2019;39(6):1122-1137.
12. Yin A^#, Wang F^*, Zhang Xia. Integrating Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Regulation of Anxiety and Depression. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2019;40(3):336-341. 
13. Liu X^#, Chen C^#, Liu Y^#, Wang Z, Huang K, Wang F^*and Wang LP^*. Gentle handling attenuates innate defensive responses to visual threats. Front Behav Neurosci 2018;12:239.          
14. Liu X^#, Tian F, Wang S, WangF^*, Xiong L^*. Astrocyte autophagy flux protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation and ischemic/reperfusion injury. Rejuvenation Res. 2018 Oct;21(5):405-415.  
15. CaiY^#, Peng Z^#, Guo H, Wang F^*, Zeng Y^*. TREK-1 pathway mediates isoflurane-induced memory impairment in middle-aged mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2017;16;145:199-204. 
16. Wang F^#, Li M^#, Li X, Kinden R, Zhou H, Guo F, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. 2-Arachidonylglycerol protects primary astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation through a blockade of NDRG2 signaling and STAT3 phosphorylation.Rejuvenation Res.  2016;19:215-22.                                  
17. Wang F^#*, Liang W^#, Lei C, Kinden R, Sang H, Xie Y, Huang Y, Qu Y, Xiong L^*. Combination of HBO and memantine in focal cerebral ischemia: is there a synergistic effect? Mol Neurobiol. 2015;52:1458-66.                                  
18. Wang F^#, Zhong H^#, Li X, Peng Y, Kinden R, Liang W, Li X, Shi M, Liu L, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. Electroacupuncture attenuates reference memory impairment associated with astrocytic NDRG2 suppression in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Mol Neurobiol.2014;50:305-13.
19. Wang F^#, Gao Z^#, Li X, Li Y, Li X, Zhong H, Xu N, Cao F, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. NDRG2 is involved in anti-apoptosis induced by electroacupuncture pretreatment after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Neurol Res. 2013;35:406-414.
20. Wang Q^#*, Wang F^#, Li X^#, Yang Q, Li X, Xu N, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Gou X, Chen S, Xiong L^*. Electroacupuncture pretreatment attenuates cerebral ischemic injury through alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 release in rats. J Neuroinflammation. 2012; 9:24.