The research team led by Haohao Dong and Xiaodi Tang focuses on bacterial physiology, pathogenicity, infection mechanisms, and antibiotic resistance. Their work includes studying the molecular mechanisms of bacterial outer membrane biosynthesis, membrane stability maintenance, bacterial division, resistance mechanisms, and host infection. The team also conducts biochemical research on novel antimicrobial drug targets, including the screening of target proteins and the design of small molecules and peptides.Using molecular cloning and gene editing as the foundation, and supported by recombinant protein expression and chromatographic purification, the team has established expression systems for bacteria, insects, yeast, and human cells. They carry out expression and in vitro purification experiments on membrane protein complexes from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The team utilizes cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and protein crystallography with X-ray diffraction to analyze multi-conformational complexes of membrane proteins bound to ligands or inhibitors. By reconstructing protein-liposome complexes to simulate biological membrane environments, and combining functional verification techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence probe tracking, and microscopy characterization, the team elucidates the mechanisms of action of target proteins. They also identify key functional domains, providing insights for the development of targeted antimicrobial drugs.