Faculty

Biography

Dr. Yulong Li, a professor at the School of Life Sciences, Peking University, is a researcher at the PKU-THU Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory. He got his B.S. from Peking University and his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Duke University, followed by postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Since 2012, he established his lab at Peking University. His research centers on the 'synapse', the fundamental unit for the communication between neurons. He carries two layers of research: first, he develops cutting-edge research tools, namely advanced imaging probes, to untangle the complexity of the nervous system in space and in time; second, capitalizing on the advancement of research toolkits, he studies the regulation of synaptic transmission, focusing on the modulation of presynaptic transmitter release in health and disease conditions. His research group has successfully developed a series of novel genetically encoded optical probes called GPCR Activation-Based (GRAB) sensors for imaging neuromodulators such as acetylcholine, monoamines, purines, lipids, and neuropeptides. These probes have allowed, probably for the first time, rapid, chemical- and cell-specific in vivo detection in multiple organisms ranging from flies, zebrafish, and mice to songbirds.

Education

2000-2006    Ph.D., Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University
1996-2000    BS, School of life sciences, Peking University

Professional Experience

2020- present  Professor, School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2012- present  Principal Investigator, PKU-THU Center for Life Sciences，IDG/McGovern Institute For Brain Research
2019-2020         Associate Professor (tenured), School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2012-2019         Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2006-2012         Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University

Honors and Awards

Lamson Memorial Lecture, Dept. of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, 2024
Research was selected into the Top Ten Progress of Life Sciences in China, 2023
Bayer China Academic Collaboration Award 2022 --Investigator Award, 2023
New Cornerstone Science Lab investigator, 2023
The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 2019
"Xplorer Prize", Tencent Foundation, 2019
The 12th "Tan Jiazhen Life Science Innovation Award", 2019
Xiangtong Zhang Young Scientist Award in Neuroscience, 2019
The 20th Wu Jieping – Paul Janssen Medical & Pharmaceutical Award, 2019
"Excellence in Teaching" award, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 2019
Research was selected into the Top Ten Progress of Life Sciences in China, 2018
Research was selected into the Top Ten News of Medical Science and Technology in China, 2018
VCANBIO Award for Innovations and Breakthrough in Life Sciences and Medicine, 2018
PKU & Boehringer-Ingelheim Faculty Research Award, 2018
"Green Leaf Eminent Young Scholar" Fellowship, Luye Pharma Group Co.,Ltd, 2015
"Excellence in Teaching" award, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 2015
Junior faculty teaching awards, Peking University, Beijing, 2013

Porfessional Society Affiliations

2023- present  Advisory board, Neuron
2023- present  Executive council member, Chinese Neuroscience Society
2021-2024         Program committee member - Subcommittee Vice Chair (Theme I: Techniques), Society for Neuroscience
2022-present   Editor, National Science Review
2019- present  Editor, Journal of Neurochemistry

The human brain consists of billions of neurons, which connected to form networks by trillions of synapses. The interplay between distinct neuronal types through synapses by long range projections and short range local connections leads to cognitive brain functions such as perception, decision making and motor control.
The biggest challenge to study brain is its complexity. Our lab’s research centers on “synapse”, the fundamental unit for the communication between brain cells, called neurons. We carry two layers of research: first, we develop cutting edge research tools, namely advanced imaging probes, to untangle the complexity of nervous system in space and in time; second, capitalizing on the advancement of research toolkits, we study the regulation of synaptic transmission, focusing on the modulation of presynaptic transmitter release in health (e.g. sleep) and in disease conditions (e.g. neurodegenerative disease).
Specifically, for tool development, we focus on:
1. Development of non-invasive systems for opto-genetic mapping of electric synapses, a basic connection type between neurons. The malfunction of electric synapses could lead to devastating diseases such as deaf, heart problems, epilepsy and brain tumors.  
2. Development of genetically-encoded sensors for imaging neurotransmitters/modulators. Those transmitters or modulators are crucial mediators for chemical synaptic transmission, important for our perception, learning/memory and our emotion.
Taking advantage of the above imaging sensors and additional, our functional studies are concentrating on:
1. Combined 2-photon imaging and genetically-encoded probes, studying how high brain centers are controlled during perception (olfaction) or sleep using fly and mice as model systems.
2. Matching the above novel chemical transmitters/ modulators with their cognate receptors: deorphanization of orphan receptors.
3. Exploration, identification and characterization of potential novel small molecule transmitters by a combination of bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and imaging approaches.  

Main research articles:
Zheng, Y.#, Cai, R.#, Wang, K., Zhang, W., Zhuo, Y., Dong, H., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Deng, F., Ji, E., Cui, Y. Fang, S., Zhang, X., Huang, H., Zhang K., Wang J., Li, G., Miao, X., Wang, Z., Yang, Y., Li, S., Grimm, J., Johnsson, K., Schreiter, E., Lavis, L., Chen, Z., Mu, Y., & Li, Y.* (2025) In vivo multiplex imaging of dynamic neurochemical networks with designed far-red dopamine sensors. Science.
Xia, X., & Li, Y.* (2025) A high-performance GRAB sensor reveals differences in the dynamics and molecular regulation between neuropeptide and neurotransmitter release. Nature Communications.
Yang J.#, Zhao, T.#, Fan, J.#, Zou, H.#, Lan, G., Guo, F., Shi, Y., Ke, H., Yu, H., Yue, Z., Wang, X., Bai Y., Li, S., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Chen, Y.*, Li, Y.*, & Lei, X.* (2024) Structure-guided discovery of bile acid derivatives for treating liver diseases without causing itch. Cell. Volume 187, Issue 25.
Lv, M., Cai, R., Zhang, R., Xia, X., Li, X., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Zeng, J., Xue, Y., Mao, L., & Li, Y.* (2024). An octopamine-specific GRAB sensor reveals a monoamine relay circuitry that boosts aversive learning. National Science Review. 11(5): nwae112.
Umpierre, A. D.#*, Li, B.#, Ayasoufi, K., Simon, W. L., Zhao, S., Xie, M., Thyen, G., Hur, B., Zheng, J., Liang, Y., Bosco, D. B., Maynes, M. A., Wu, Z., Yu, X., Sung, J., Johnson, A. J., Li, Y.*, & Wu, L.-J.* (2024) Microglial P2Y6 calcium signaling promotes phagocytosis and shapes neuroimmune responses in epileptogenesis. Neuron. 112(12): 1959-1977. e10.
Feng, J.*, Dong, H., Lischinsky, J. E., Zhou, J., Deng, F., Zhuang, C., Miao, X., Wang, H., Li, G., Cai, R., Xie, H., Cui, G., Lin, D., & Li, Y.* (2024). Monitoring norepinephrine release in vivo using next-generation GRABNE sensors. Neuron. 112(12): 1930-1942. e6.
Deng, F.#, Wan, J.#, Li, G., Dong, H., Xia, X., Wang, Y., Li, X., Zhuang, C., Zheng, Y., Liu, L., Yan, Y., Feng, J., Zhao, Y., Xie, H., & Li, Y.*(2024). Improved green and red GRAB sensors for monitoring spatiotemporal serotonin release in vivo. Nature Methods. 21(4): 692-702.
Zhuo, Y.#, Luo, B.#, Yi, X., Dong, H., Miao, X., Wan, J., Williams, J. T., Campbell, M. G., Cai, R., Qian, T., Li, F., Weber, S. J., Wang, L., Li, B., Wei, Y., Li, G., Wang, H., Zheng, Y., Zhao, Y., Wolf, M. E., Zhu, Y., Watabe-Uchida, M., & Li, Y.* (2024). Improved green and red GRAB sensors for monitoring dopaminergic activity in vivo. Nature Methods.
Wang, H.#, Qian, T.#, Zhao, Y., Zhuo, Y., Wu, C., Osakada, T., Chen, P., Chen, Z., Ren, H., Yan, Y., Geng, L., Fu, S., Mei, L., Li, G., Wu, L., Jiang, Y., Qian, W., Zhang, L., Peng, W., Xu, M., Hu, J., Jiang, M., Chen, L., Tang, C., Zhu, Y., Lin, D., Zhou, J.-N., & Li, Y.* (2023). A tool kit of highly selective and sensitive genetically encoded neuropeptide sensors. Science, 382(6672), eabq8173.
Wu, Z.#, Cui, Y.#, Wang, H.#, Wu, H., Wan, Y., Li, B., Wang, L., Pan, S., Peng, W., Dong, A., Yuan, Z., Jing, M., Xu, M., Luo, M.*, & Li, Y.* (2023). Neuronal activity-induced, equilibrative nucleoside transporter-dependent, somatodendritic adenosine release revealed by a GRAB sensor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(14), e2212387120.
Dong, H.#, Li, M.#, Yan, Y., Qian, T., Lin, Y., Ma, X., Vischer, H. F., Liu, C., Li, G., Wang, H., Leurs, R., & Li, Y.* (2023). Genetically encoded sensors for measuring histamine release both in vitro and in vivo. Neuron.
Zeng, J.#*, Li, X.#, Zhang, R., Lv, M., Wang, Y., Tan, K., Xia, X., Wan, J., Jing, M., Zhang, X., Li, Y., Yang, Y., Wang, L., Chu, J., Li, Y., & Li, Y.*. (2023). Local 5-HT signaling bi-directionally regulates the coincidence time window for associative learning. Neuron.
Qian, T.#, Wang, H.#, Wang, P.#, Geng, L., Mei, L., Osakada, T., Wang, L., Tang, Y., Kania, A., Grinevich, V., Stoop, R., Lin, D., Luo, M., & Li, Y.* (2023). A genetically encoded sensor measures temporal oxytocin release from different neuronal compartments. Nature Biotechnology.
Wu, Z.*, He, K., Chen, Y., Li, H., Pan, S., Li, B., Liu, T., Wang, H., Du, J., Jing, M., & Li, Y.* (2021). A sensitive GRAB sensor for detecting extracellular ATP in vitro and in vivo Neuron, 110(5), 770-782.e775.
Dong, A., He, K., Dudok, B., Farrell, J. S., Guan, W., Liput, D. J., Puhl, H. L., Cai, R., Wang, H., Duan, J., Albarran, E., Ding, J., Lovinger, D. M., Li, B., Soltesz, I., & Li, Y.*. (2021). A fluorescent sensor for spatiotemporally resolved imaging of endocannabinoid dynamics in vivo. Nature Biotechnology.
Wan, J., Peng, W., Li, X., Qian, T., Song, K., Zeng, J., Deng, F., Hao, S., Feng,J., Zhang, P., Zhang, Y., Zou, J., Pan, S., Shin, M., Venton, B. J., Zhu, J. J., Jing, M., Xu, M., Li, Y.*.(2021). A genetically encoded sensor for measuring serotonin dynamics. Nature Neuroscience.
Qian, C., Wu, Z., Sun, R., Yu, H., Zeng, J., Rao, Y., & Li, Y. * (2021). Localization, proteomics, and metabolite profiling reveal a putative vesicular transporter for UDP-glucose. eLife, 10, e65417.
Sun, F.#, Zhou, J.#, Dai, B.#, Qian, T., Zeng, J., Li, X., Zhuo, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Qian, C., Tan, K., Feng, J., Dong, H., Lin, D.*, Cui, G.*, & Li, Y.*.(2020). Next-generation GRAB sensors for monitoring dopaminergic activity in vivo. Nature Methods.
Jing, M.*, Li, Y., Zeng, J., Huang, P., Skirzewski, M., Kljakic, O., Peng, W., Qian, T., Tan, K., Wu, R., Zhang, S., Pan, S., Xu, M., Li, H., Saksida, L. M., Prado, V. F., Bussey, T., Prado, M. A. M., Chen, L., Cheng, H., Li, Y.*.(2020). An optimized acetylcholine sensor for monitoring in vivo cholinergic activity. Nature Methods.
Yu, H., Zhao, T., Liu, S., Wu, Q., Johnson, O., Wu, Z., Zhuang, Z., Shi, Y., He, R., Yang, Y., Sun, J., Wang, X., Xu, H., Zeng, Z., Lei, X., Luo, W.* & Li, Y.*. (2019). MRGPRX4 is a bile acid receptor for human cholestatic itch. eLife, 8, e48431.
Feng, J., Zhang, C., Lischinsky, J. E., Jing, M., Zhou, J., Wang, H., Zhang, Y., Dong, A., Wu, Z., Wu, H., Chen, W., Zhang, P., Zou, J., Hires, S. A., Zhu, J. J., Cui, G., Lin, D., Du, J. & Li, Y.* (2019). A Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Sensor for Rapid and Specific In Vivo Detection of Norepinephrine. Neuron, 102(4), 745-761.
Wu, Z.#, Feng, J.#, Jing, M., & Li, Y.* (2019). G protein-assisted optimization of GPCR-activation based (GRAB) sensors. Neural Imaging and Sensing 2019, vol. 10865, p. 108650N. International Society for Optics and Photonics.
Wu, L., Dong, A., Dong, L., Wang, S. Q., & Li, Y*. (2019). PARIS, an optogenetic method for functionally mapping gap junctions. eLife, 8, e43366.
Sun, F.#, Zeng, J.#, Jing, M.#, Zhou, J., Feng, J., Owen, S., Luo, Y., Li, F., Wang, H., Yamaguchi, T., Yong, Z., Gao, Y., Peng, W., Wang, L., Zhang, S., Du, J., Lin, D., Xu, M., Kreitzer, A. C., Cui, G. & Li, Y.* (2018). A genetically-encoded fluorescent sensor enables rapid and specific detection of dopamine in flies, fish, and mice. Cell, 174(2), 481-496.
Jing, M.#, Zhang, P.#, Wang, G., Feng, J., Mesik, L., Zeng, J., Jiang, H., Wang, S., Looby, J. C., Guagliardo, N. A., Langma, L. W., Lu, J., Zuo, Y., Talmage, D. A., Role, L. W., Barrett, P. Q., Zhang, L. I., Luo, M., Song, Y., Zhu, JJ* & Li, Y*. (2018). A genetically-encoded fluorescent acetylcholine indicator for in vitro and in vivo studies. Nature Biotechnology, 36(8), 726-737.

Reviews, Book Reviews and Highlights
Geng, L., & Li, Y.* (2025). Illuminating calcium and potassium dynamics with red fluorescent sensors. PLOS Biology.
Feng, J., & Li, Y.* (2025). Research Progress and Prospects of Genetically Encoded Neuromodulator Sensors. SCIENTIA SINICA Vitae. 2025, ISSN 1674-7232. (In Chinese)
Deng, F., Feng, J., Xie,H., & Li, Y.* (2025). Mesoscopic Imaging of Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators with Genetically Encoded Sensors. Awake Behaving Mesoscopic Brain Imaging. Neuromethods, vol 214. Humana, New York.
Wan, J., & Li, Y.* (2024). STX-bpc: “Brightening” the path to neuronal inhibition. Cell Chemical Biology. 31(7): 1233-1235.
Yang, Y.#, Li, B.#, & Li, Y.* (2024). Genetically Encoded Sensors for the In Vivo Detection of Neurochemical Dynamics. Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry.
Zhao, Y., Wan, J., & Li, Y.* (2024). Genetically encoded sensors for in vivo detection of neurochemicals relevant to depression. Journal of Neurochemistry. 17.
Zheng, Y., & Li, Y.* (2023). Past, Present, and Future of Tools for Dopamine Detection. Neuroscience, 525, 13-25.
Qian, T., Wang, H., Xia, X., & Li, Y.# (2023) Current and emerging methods for probing neuropeptide transmission. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 81, 102751.
Dong, C.#, Zheng, Y.#, Long-Iyer, K., Wright, E. C., Li, Y.*, & Tian, L.* (2022). Fluorescence imaging of neural activity, neurochemical dynamics, and drug-specific receptor conformation with genetically encoded sensors. Annual Review of Neuroscience.
Wu, Z., Lin, D., & Li, Y.* (2022). Pushing the frontiers: tools for monitoring neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Zhuo, Y., Li, Y.* (2022). New imaging methods for monitoring dopaminergic neurotransmission. Science China Life Sciences, 65.
Yulong Li. (2021). Neuron, 109(21), 3346-3348.
Yu, H., Wangensteen, K., Deng, T., Li, Y., & Luo, W.* (2021). MRGPRX4 in Cholestatic Pruritus. Semin Liver Dis41(03), 358-367.
Wan, J. & Li, Y.* (2020). Recent Advances in Detection Methods for Neurotransmitters. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 48(3), 307-315. (In Chinese)
Wu, Z.* & Li, Y.* (2020). New frontiers in probing the dynamics of purinergic transmitters in vivo. Neuroscience Research.
Zeng, J., Sun, F., Wan, J., Feng, J. & Li, Y.* (2019). New optical methods for detecting monoamine neuromodulators. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering.
Jing, M., Zhang, Y., Wang, H. & Li, Y.* (2019). GPCR‐based sensors for imaging neurochemicals with high sensitivity and specificity. Journal of Neurochemistry.
Dong, A.*, Liu, S., & Li, Y.* (2018). Gap Junctions in the Nervous System: Probing Functional Connections Using New Imaging Approaches. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 12, 320.
Wang, H., Jing, M., & Li, Y.* (2018). Lighting up the brain: genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for imaging neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 50, 171-178.
Wang, A.#, Feng, J.#, Li, Y.*, & Zou, P.* (2018). Beyond Fluorescent Proteins: Hybrid and Bioluminescent Indicators for Imaging Neural Activities. ACS chemical neuroscience, 9(4), 639-650.
Qian, C., & Li, Y.* (2015). Spine maturation and pruning during development: Cadherin/Catenin complexes come to help. Science China. Life sciences,58(9), 929.
Li, Y.*, & Rao, Y.* (2015). Pied Piper of Neuroscience. Cell, 163(2), 267-268.