主要用蓝藻作为模式，以分子遗传学和细胞生物学为手段研究细胞生长发育的机制，包括细胞发育和细胞周期的关系，及对环境变化适应能力分子机制。在国际期刊上发表文章97篇，其中包括PNAS, Mol Microbiol, Nucl Acid Res, J Bacteriol, FEMS Microbiol Rev，Trends in Plant Sci.等杂志。

代表性论文：

1. Wei-Yue Xing, Jing Liu, Zi-Qian Wang, Ju-Yuan Zhang, Xiaoli Zeng, Yiling Yang andCheng-Cai Zhang*. HetF protein is a new divisome component in a filamentous and developmental cyanobacterium. mBio, 2021, accepted.

2. Zi-Qian Wang, Suqin Wang, Ju-Yuan Zhang, Gui-Ming Lin, Nanqin Gan, Lirong Song, Xiaoli Zeng* &Cheng-Cai Zhang*. The proposed neurotoxin β-n-methylamino-l-alanine (bmaa) is taken up through amino-acid transport systems in the cyanobacterium anabaena pcc 7120. Toxins, 2020, 12(8), 518.

3. Xing, W. Y., Xie, L. R., Zeng, X., Yang, Y. *, &Zhang, C. C.*. Functional dissection of genes encoding dna polymerases based on conditional mutants in the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium anabaena pcc 7120. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020, 11, 1108. 

4. Li Wang, Tian-Cai Niu, Gui-Ming Lin, Shao-Ran Zhang, Ju-Yuan Zhang, Guo-Fang Tang, Wenli Chen*,Cheng-Cai Zhang*. patD, a gene regulated by NtcA, is involved in the optimization of heterocyst frequency in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2019, 201(21). pii: e00457-19.

5. Wei-Yue Xing,Cheng-Cai Zhang*. Preventing accidental heterocyst development in cyanobacteria. Journal of bacteriology. 2019, 201 (17) e00349-19.

6. Tian-Cai Niu, Gui-Ming Lin, Li-Rui Xie, Zi-Qian Wang, Wei-Yue Xing, Ju-Yuan Zhang*,Cheng-Cai Zhang*, Expanding the potential of CRISPR-Cpf1 based genome editing technology in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. ACS Synth. Biol. 2019, 8:170-180.

7.Cheng-Cai Zhang*, Cong-Zhao Zhou, Robert L. Burnap, Ling Peng, Carbon/Nitrogen Metabolic Balance: Lessons from Cyanobacteria. Trends in Plant Sci. 2018, 23:1116-1130.

8. Yali Wang, Yuan Gao, Chao Li, Hong Gao,Cheng-Cai Zhangand Xudong Xu*, Three substrains of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 display divergence in genomic sequences and hetC function, Journal of bacteriology. 2018, 200 (13):e00076-18.

9. Ju-Yuan Zhang, Gui-Min Lin, Wei-Yue Xin andCheng-Cai Zhang*, Diversity of the growth patterns probed in live cyanobacterial cells using a fluorescent analog of a peptidoglycan precursor. Frontiers in Microbiology,2018, 9:791.

10. Yong-Liang Jiang, Xue-Ping Wang, Hui Sun, Shu-Jing Han, Wei-Fang Li, Ning Cui, Gui-Ming Lin, Ju-Yuan Zhang, Wang Cheng, Dong-Dong Cao, Zhi-Yong Zhang,Cheng-Cai Zhang*, Yuxing Chen*, Cong-Zhao Zhou*, Coordinating carbon and nitrogen metabolic signaling through the cyanobacterial global repressor NdhR.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018, 115:403-408.

11. Hu, H-X., Jiang, Y-L., Zhao, M-X., Cai K., Liu, S., Wen, B., Lv, P., Zhang, Y., Peng, J., Yu, H.-M., Ren, Y.-M., Zhang, Z., Wu, Q., Oliveberg, M.,Zhang, C.-C*., Chen, Y*., Zhou, C.Z.* Structural insights into HetR PatS interaction involved in cyanobacterial pattern formation. Scientific Reports. 2015, 5:16470.

12. Zhang, J-Y; Deng, X-M; Li, F-P; Wang, L; Huang, Q-Y;Zhang, C-C.*; Chen, W-L. RNase E forms a complex with polynucleotide phosphorylase in cyanobacteria via a cyanobacterial-specific nonapeptide in the noncatalytic region. RNA. 2014, 20:568-579.

13. Zhang S-R, Lin G-M, Chen W-L, Wang L,Zhang C-C.*. ppGpp metabolism is involved in heterocyst development in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2013, 195:4536-4544.

14.Zhang C-C& Zhou C-Z. ATPase as a switch in PII signal transduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2013, 110:12863-12864.

15. Boileau, C., Eme, L., Brochier-Armanet, C., Janicki, A.,Zhang, C.-C.*and Latifi A. A eukaryotic-like sulfiredoxin involved in oxidative stress responses and in the reduction of the sulfinic form of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. New Phytologist. 2011, 91:1108–1118.

16. Liu, X., Chen, H., Laurini, E., Wang, Y., Dal Col, V., Posocco, P., Ziarelli, F., Fermeglia, M.,Zhang, C.-C.*, Pricl, S., and Peng, L. 2-Difluoromethylene-4-methylenepentanoic Acid, A Paradoxical Probe Able To Mimic the Signaling Role of 2-Oxoglutaric Acid in Cyanobacteria. Org. Lett. 2011, 13:2924-2927.

17. Bastet, L., Boileau, C., Janicki, A., Bedu, S., Latifi, A. andZhang, C.-C.*. NtcA regulates patA expression in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2010, 192:5257-5259.

18. Janssen, P.J., Morin, N., Mergeay, M., Leroy, B., Wattiez, R., Vallaeys, T., Waleron, R., Waleron, M., Wilmotte, A., Quillardet, P., Tandeau de Marsac, N., Talla, E.,Zhang, C.-C.*and Leys, N. Genome Sequence of the Edible Cyanobacterium Arthrospira sp. PCC 8005. Journal of bacteriology. 2010, 192:2465-2466.

19. Zhao, M.-X., Jiang, Y.-L., He, Y.-X., Chen, Y.-F., Teng, Y.-B., Chen, Y.,Zhang, C.-C.*, and Zhou, C.-Z.*. Structural basis for the allosteric control of the global nitrogen-regulating transcription factor NtcA by the nitrogen starvation signal 2-oxoglutarate. *Co-corresponding authors. Proc. Natl. Aacd. Sci. USA. 2010, 107:12487-12492.

20. Jang, J., Shi, L., Tan, H., Janicki, A., andZhang, C.-C*. Mutual regulation of ntcA and hetR during heterocyst differentiation requires two similar PP2C-type protein phosphatases PrpJ1 and PrpJ2 in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2009, 191:6059-6066.

21. Latifi, A., Ruiz, M. andZhang, C.-C.*. Oxidative stress in cyanobacteria. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 2009, 33:258-278.

22. Zhang, L.-C., Chen, Y.-F., Chen, W.-L., andZhang, C.-C.*. Existence of periplasmic barriers preventing GFP diffusion from cell to cell in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Mol Microbiol. 2008, 70:814-823.

23. Jeanjean, R., Talla, E., Latifi, A., Havaux, M., Janicki, A., andZhang, C.-C.*. A large gene cluster encoding peptide synthetases and polyketide synthases is involved in production of siderophores and oxidative-stress response in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Environ. Microbiol. 2008, 10:2574-2585.

24. Shi, L., Li, J.-H., Cheng, Y., Wang, L., Chen W.L. &Zhang, C.-C.*. Two genes encoding protein kinases of the HstK family are involved in the synthesis of the minor heterocyst-specific glycolipid in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology., 2007, 189:5075-5081. 2009, 191:6059-6066.

25. Jang, J., Wang, L., Jeanjean, R. &Zhang, C.-C.*. PrpJ, a PP2C-type protein phosphatase located on the plasma membrane, is involved in heterocyst maturation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Mol. Microbiol. 2007, 64:247-358.

26. Latifi, A, Ruiz, M., Jeanjean, R. &Zhang, C.-C.*. PrxQ-A, a member of the peroxiredoxin Q family, plays a major role in defense against oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Free Radical Biol. Med. 2007, 42:424-431.

27. Chen, H., Laurent, S., Bédu, S., Ziarelli, F., Cheng, Y.,Zhang, C.-C.*& Peng, L. Studying the signaling role of 2-oxoglutaric acid by using analogues that mimic the ketone and ketal forms of 2-oxoglutaric acid. Chemistry & Biology. 2006, 13:849-856.

28. Sakr, S., Thyssen, M., Denis, M. &Zhang, C.-C.*. Relationship among several key cell-cycle events in the developmental cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2006, 188:5958-5965.

29. Cheng, Y., Li, J-H., Shi., L., Wang, L., Latifi, A., &Zhang, C.-C.*. A pair of iron-responsive genes encoding protein kinases with a Ser/Thr-kinase domain and a His-kinase domain are regulated by NtcA in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2006, 188:4822-4829.

30. Sakr, S., Jeanjean, R.,Zhang, C.-C.*& Arcondéguy, T. Inhibition of cell division suppresses heterocyst development in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2006, 188:1396-1404.

31.Zhang, C.-C.*, Laurent, S., Sakr, S., Peng, L. & Bédu, S. Heterocyst differentiation and pattern formation in cyanobacteria: a chorus of signals. Mol. Microbiol. 2006, 59:367-375.

32. Latifi, A., Jeanjean, R., Lemeille, S., Havaux, M. &Zhang, C.-C.*. Iron starvation leads to oxidative stress in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 2005, 187:6596-6598.

33. Laurent, S., Chen, H., Bédu, S., Ziarelli, F., Peng, L*. &Zhang, C.-C.*. Nonmetabolizable analogue of 2-oxoglutarate elicits heterocyst differentiation under repressive conditions in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2005, 102:9907-9912.

34. Kuhn, I., Peng, L., Bédu, S. &Zhang, C.-C.*. Developmental regulation of the cell division protein FtsZ in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120, a cyanobacterium capable of terminal differentiation. Journal of bacteriology. 2000, 182:4640-4643.

35.Zhang, C-C.*, Gonzalez, L. & Phalip, V.. Survey, analysis and genetic organization of genes encoding eukaryotic-like signalling proteins by a cyanobacterial genome. Nucl. Acids Res. 1998, 26:3619-3625.

36.Zhang, C-C*., Friry, A. & Peng, L.. Molecular and genetic analysis of two closely linked genes that encode, respectively, a protein phosphatase 1/2A/2B homolog and a protein kinasehomolog in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of bacteriology. 1998, 180:2616-2622.

37.Zhang, C-C.*. Bacterial signalling involving eukaryotic-type protein kinases. Mol. Microbiol. 1996, 20:9-15.

38.Zhang, C-C.*. A gene encoding a protein related to eukaryotic-type protein kinases from the filamentous heterocystous cyanobacterium Anabaena  PCC 7120. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1993, 90:11840-11844.

39.Zhang, C-C.*. & Bienz, M. (1992) Segmental determination in Drosophila conferred by hunchback (hb), a repressor of the homeotic gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:7511-7515.

40.Zhang, C-C.*. Durand, M-C., Jeanjean, R. & Joset, F. Molecular and genetic analysis of the glucose-fructose transport system in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803. Mol.  Microbiol. 1989, 3:1221-1229.