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Zhijian James Chen is a Chinese American biochemist and Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is best known for using classical biochemistry to discover new pathways and mechanisms in innate immunity and cell signaling. His scientific contributions include the discovery of a proteasome-independent role of ubiquitin in protein kinase activation, the discovery of MAVS and the role of mitochondria in antiviral innate immune responses, and the more recent discoveries of the cytosolic DNA sensor, Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, and a new second messenger, Cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate, which play key roles in immune defense as well as autoimmune diseases. He has won numerous distinctions for his scientific contributions including the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research, The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Science, and the National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology. James currently holds the George L. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science and is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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