Macau University Of Science And Technology | Macau
Assist. Prof. Dr. Panpan Hou is a distinguished researcher in the field of Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics, with a prolific record of 375 documents, 541 citations, and an h-index of 16. After obtaining a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Dr. Hou completed postdoctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis before joining Macau University of Science and Technology as an Assistant Professor in 2021. Dr. Hou’s research focuses on ion channel physiology, voltage-sensor domain (VSD) mechanisms, and electro-mechanical coupling, elucidating complex molecular processes such as the VSD-pore coupling in KCNQ1 channels and identifying novel modulators with therapeutic potential. He has made significant contributions to drug screening, cardiovascular disease modeling, and electrophysiology, publishing high-impact work in journals including Nature Communications, PNAS, eLife, Circulation Research, and Scientific Reports. Dr. Hou has received multiple awards including the AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship, Best Poster Awards at international symposia, and the 2025 Best Research Output Award from Macau University of Science and Technology. Beyond research, he actively mentors students, serves on editorial boards, and contributes to national and international scientific societies. With a strong track record of innovation, mentorship, and high-impact publications, Dr. Hou exemplifies excellence in biomedical research and is poised to advance the understanding of ion channel physiology and therapeutic interventions.
Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
Zhong, L., Lin, X., Cheng, X., Wan, S., Hua, Y., Nan, W., Hu, B., Peng, X., Zhou, Z., Zhang, Q., Yang, H., Noé, F., Yan, Z., Jiang, D., Zhang, H., Liu, F., Xiao, C., Zhou, Z., Mou, Y., Yu, H., Ma, L., Huang, C., Wong, V. K. W., Chung, S. K., Shen, B., Jiang, Z.-H., Neher, E., Zhu, W., Zhang, J., & Hou, P. (2025). Secondary structure transitions and dual PIP2 binding define cardiac KCNQ1-KCNE1 channel gating. Cell Research.
Hou, P., Zhao, L., Zhong, L., Shi, J., Wang, H. Z., Gao, J., Liu, H., Zuckerman, J., Cohen, I. S., & Cui, J. (2024). The fully activated open state of KCNQ1 controls the cardiac “fight-or-flight” response. PNAS Nexus.
Liu, Y., Xu, X., Gao, J., Naffaa, M. M., Liang, H., Shi, J., Wang, H. Z., Yang, N.-D., Hou, P., & Zhao, W. (2022). Author correction: A PIP2 substitute mediates voltage sensor-pore coupling in KCNQ activation. Communications Biology.
Dou, A., Kang, P. W., Hou, P., Zaydman, M. A., Zheng, J., Jegla, T., & Cui, J. (2021). Principles of sensor-effector organization in six-transmembrane ion channels.
Lin, Y., Grinter, S. Z., Lu, Z., Xu, X., Wang, H. Z., Liang, H., Hou, P., Gao, J., Clausen, C., & Shi, J. (2021). Modulating the voltage sensor of a cardiac potassium channel shows antiarrhythmic effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Liu, Y., Xu, X., Gao, J., Naffaa, M. M., Liang, H., Shi, J., Wang, H. Z., Yang, N.-D., Hou, P., & Zhao, W. (2020). A PIP2 substitute mediates voltage sensor-pore coupling in KCNQ activation. Communications Biology.
Taylor, K. C., Kang, P. W., Hou, P., Yang, N.-D., Kuenze, G., Smith, J. A., Shi, J., Huang, H., McFarland White, K., & Peng, D. (2020). Structure and physiological function of the human KCNQ1 channel voltage sensor intermediate state. eLife.
Hou, P., Kang, P. W., Kongmeneck, A. D., Yang, N.-D., Liu, Y., Shi, J., Xu, X., McFarland White, K., Zaydman, M. A., Kasimova, M. A., Seebohm, M., Zhong, L., Zou, X., Tarek, M., & Cui, J. (2020). Two-stage electro–mechanical coupling of a KV channel in voltage-dependent activation. Nature Communications.
Zhu, W., Mazzanti, A., Voelker, T. L., Hou, P., Moreno, J. D., Angsutararux, P., Naegle, K. M., Priori, S. G., & Silva, J. R. (2019). Predicting patient response to the antiarrhythmic mexiletine based on genetic variation: Personalized medicine for long QT syndrome. Circulation Research.
Hou, P., Kang, P. W., Kongmeneck, A. D., Yang, N.-D., Liu, Y., Shi, J., Xu, X., McFarland White, K., Zaydman, M. A., Kasimova, M. A., Seebohm, M., Zhong, L., Zou, X., Tarek, M., & Cui, J. (2019). Two-stage electro-mechanical coupling of a KV channel in voltage-dependent activation.
Hou, P., Shi, J., McFarland White, K., Gao, Y., & Cui, J. (2019). ML277 specifically enhances the fully activated open state of KCNQ1 by modulating VSD-pore coupling. eLife.
Hou, P., Shi, J., McFarland White, K., Gao, Y., & Cui, J. (2019). ML277 specifically enhances pore opening of KCNQ1 with VSD at the activated state by modulating VSD-pore coupling.
Hou, P., Eldstrom, J., Shi, J., Zhong, L., McFarland, K., Gao, Y., Fedida, D., & Cui, J. (2017). Inactivation of KCNQ1 potassium channels reveals dynamic coupling between voltage sensing and pore opening. Nature Communications.