Assoc. Prof Zefeng Lin: Associate Professor at Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China

Zefeng Lin, MD, PhD, is a pediatric surgeon and translational clinical researcher affiliated with the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease. With dual expertise in surgical intervention and immunological research, he has become a leading figure in pediatric surgical oncology and congenital malformations. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of neonatal biliary atresia, rare thoracic tumors such as pleuropulmonary blastoma and neuroblastoma, and tracheal lesions. He has spearheaded groundbreaking immunotherapy trials and built preclinical models that have set new standards in pediatric disease modeling and translational applications.

Online Profiles

• ORCID: 0000-0001-7532-9175

• Dr. Lin maintains professional visibility through academic networks and institutional platforms. His ORCID profile includes his major publications and collaborations. Additional profiles may be available via Guangzhou Medical University and Chinese clinical research networks.

Education

Dr. Lin earned his MD and PhD degrees in Pediatric Surgery from Guangzhou Medical University, where he also completed his clinical training. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his long-term focus on congenital hepatobiliary disorders. He later pursued advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive surgical innovation and translational immunology, equipping him to bridge the gap between molecular research and surgical care.

Research Focus

Dr. Lin’s research encompasses the immune pathogenesis of biliary atresia, genetic susceptibility in structural birth defects, and targeted therapies for pediatric thoracic malignancies. Using state-of-the-art single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid technology, and gene knockout mouse models, his team has uncovered novel T/B cell crosstalk mechanisms and CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cell dysfunction in BA. His work has not only identified IL10, STAT3, and CD14 as key BA-associated genes but also proposed new immune-modulating therapies that are already being tested in clinical trials.

Experience

Dr. Lin serves as Principal Investigator for multiple national and municipal research grants, including a Youth Program from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, 2021–2024). His clinical leadership includes managing over 100 complex pediatric surgical cases involving congenital airway abnormalities, rare esophageal conditions, and oncologic resections. He has collaborated on more than 20 major provincial and national research projects, contributing expertise in both translational biology and pediatric surgery, and is recognized for integrating multidisciplinary methods across immunology, genetics, and surgical care.

Research Timeline

Beginning in 2017 with early genetic studies on biliary atresia, Dr. Lin’s research has followed a trajectory of rapid development. In 2018, he created the first chronic mouse model of BA and identified key genetic markers via GWAS. By 2020, his work was featured in CELL, marking a major international milestone. Since then, he has moved into clinical translation, launching trials for anti-CD20 therapy and NAC for BA, supported by national and municipal funding from 2021 to 2024. He continues to lead integrated preclinical-clinical pipelines for rare pediatric conditions.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Lin was honored with the Excellent Poster Award and Most Popular Speaker Award at the 2024 China Rare Disease Congress, recognizing both his scientific innovation and public engagement. He has been an invited speaker at high-level international events, including the 13th Asian Congress of Pediatrics in Hong Kong (2017) and the Nature Women & Children’s Health Symposium in Guangzhou (2018). His achievements reflect not only scientific rigor but also a growing reputation as a thought leader in rare pediatric disease research.

Top-Noted Publication

“Liver Immune Profiling Reveals Pathogenesis and Therapeutics for Biliary Atresia” – CELL, 2020
As Co-First Author, Dr. Lin contributed to the first pediatric surgery study from China published in CELL, one of the world’s top scientific journals. The study used single-cell sequencing to demonstrate a B cell–mediated mechanism of liver damage in neonatal BA. These findings were translated into clinical practice through Rituximab-based immunotherapy trials, which showed improved immune balance and outcomes in BA patients, making this publication a landmark in pediatric hepatology and translational medicine.

Title: Silver Nanoparticle Treatment Ameliorates Biliary Atresia Syndrome in Rhesus Rotavirus Inoculated Mice
Journal: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Year: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.11.013
Author: Zefeng Lin (and collaborators)

Abstract Summary

This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on biliary atresia (BA) syndrome, a rare and life-threatening pediatric liver disease, in a rhesus rotavirus (RRV)-induced mouse model. The research investigates how AgNPs might counteract the pathophysiological changes associated with BA, including biliary obstruction, liver fibrosis, and immune dysregulation, using a well-established animal model mimicking human disease. The study demonstrates that AgNP treatment significantly ameliorates symptoms of BA, including liver injury and inflammation, and provides evidence of immune system modulation. By targeting both the inflammatory and fibrotic components of the disease, AgNPs offer a promising therapeutic approach for BA.

Key Findings and Implications

• Effectiveness of AgNPs in Modulating Immune Response: The study found that silver nanoparticles exert a beneficial effect on immune system regulation in the mouse model of BA. Specifically, the nanoparticles were shown to suppress the activation of inflammatory markers and modulate immune responses, particularly those related to liver injury and fibrosis.

• Histopathological and Molecular Evidence: Histological analysis demonstrated a reduction in liver fibrosis and bile duct injury in AgNP-treated mice compared to untreated controls. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were explored through gene expression profiling, highlighting the nanoparticles’ ability to downregulate key pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic pathways.

• Safety and Potential for Clinical Translation: While AgNPs showed therapeutic promise, the study also assessed the safety profile of these nanoparticles. The results indicate that they are well-tolerated in the experimental model, though further studies are needed to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy in clinical settings.