Ji Dai, PhD, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, CAS
Email: ji.dai@siat.ac.cn
Telephone: 0755-86146121
Address: 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili University Town, NanShan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong
Postcode: 518055
Research Areas
Understand the neural basis of vision, attention, and emotion in nonhuman primates
Developing novel therapy for brain disorder (e.g. PD) using nonhuman primates
Education
1999.9 - 2003.6 B.S. in Physics, Nanjing University
Experience
Work Experience
1. Oct. 2017 – present: Principal Investigator, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Techonology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2. Oct. 2014 – Sep. 2017: Associate Professor, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
3. Sep. 2010 – Sep. 2014: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Neuroscience, Brown University
Honors & Distinctions
1. Top 10 Advances in Life Sciences of China, 2024
2. Top 10 events in Shenzhen’s Technological Innovation, 2024
3. Top 6 Major Advances in Chinese Neuroscience, 2023
4. High-Level Professional in Shenzhen, 2022
5. Pilot Talents of Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 2018
6. Overseas High-Level Talents, Shenzhen, 2018
7. Member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017
Publications
Papers
(*corresponding author; #co-first author)
Five feature articles:
1. Yefei Chen#, Zexuan Hong#, Jingyi Wang, Kunlin Liu, Jing Liu, Jianbang Lin, Shijing Feng, Tianhui Zhang, Liang Shan, Taian Liu, Pinyue Guo, Yunping Lin, Tian Li, Qian Chen, Xiaodan Jiang, Anan Li, Xiang Li, Yuantao Li, Jonathan Wilde, Jin Bao*, Ji Dai*, and Zhonghua Lu*. “Circuit-Specific Gene Therapy Reverses Core Symptoms in a Primate Parkinson’s Disease Model”, Cell, 2023, 186 (24): 5394-5410.e18. Doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.004.
2. Li Wang#, Bo Zhang#, Xiqian Lu, Ruidi Wang, Jian Ma, Yujie Chen, Yuan Zhou, Ji Dai*, Yi Jiang*. “Genetic and Neuronal Basis for Facial Emotion Perception in Humans and Macaques”, National Science Review, 2024 11(11), nwae381. Doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae381.
3. Zhiting Zhang#, Liang Shan#, Yuyin Wang#, Wenfang Li, Minqing Jiang, Feng Liang, Shijing Feng, Zhonghua Lu, Hong Wang*, Ji Dai*. “Primate Preoptic Neurons Drive Hypothermia and Cold Defense”. The Innovation, 2023, 4:100358. Doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2022.100358. (IF=33.2)
5. Xinhe Liu, Zhiting Zhang, Lu Gan, Panke Yu, Ji Dai*. “Medium Spiny Neurons Mediate Timing Perception in Coordination with Prefrontal Neurons in Primates”, Advanced Science, 2025, Doi: 10.1002/advs.202412963.
Other Peer-reviewed publications:
6. Haijun Wang#, Ji Dai#, Yuanzheng Cui, Peijun Zhang, Fang Wang*, Buxing Han*, Erik Jeppesen. “Shaping the future of academic conferences”, The Innovation, 2025, 1:100738. Doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100738.
7. Ling Li, Shenglin Wen*, Ji Dai*. “The Current State and Future Outlook of PET Tracers for AMPA Receptors”, Neuroscience Bulletin (online). Doi: 10.1007/s12264-024-01332-w.
8. Ming Luo*, Wenyu Yang, Long Bai, et al. “Artificial intelligence for life sciences: A comprehensive guide and future trends”, The Innovation Life, 2024, 2:100105.
9. Zhiting Zhang, Ji Dai*. “Fully implantable wireless brain-computer interface for humans: Advancing toward the future”, The Innovation, 2024, 5:100595.
10. Yefei Chen#, Jingyi Wang#, Jing Liu#, Jianbang Lin, Yunping Lin, Jinyao Nie, Qi Yue, Chunshan Deng, Xiaofei Qi, Yuantao Li, Ji Dai*, Zhonghua Lu*. “A Novel Retrograde AAV Variant for Functional Manipulation of Cortical Projection Neurons in Mice and Monkeys”, Neuroscience Bulletin, 2024, 40(1):90-102.
11. Ji Dai*. “Pursue the nature of science: Advocate for a better research environment”, The Innovation, 2024, 5:100686.
12. Tiantian Li#, Tao Huang#, Ning Xiao#, Ji Dai*. “Innovative medicine and health management: A special session of The Innovation Conference 2024”, The Innovation Medicine, 2024, 2:100088.
13. Xiayi Feng, Ding Gao, Juan Zhou, Zhu Gui, Aoling Cai, Jie Wang, Ji Dai, Yipeng Jing, Junchao Qian, Zongqiang Cui, Lanxiang Li, Yue You, Luyi Tian, Xian-En Zhang, Dong Men. “Viral capsid-mediated efficient cell labeling of micron-sized magnetic particles for highly sensitive long-term in vivo tumor cells MRI tracking”. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 498: 155830.
14. Li M#, Guan M#, Lin J#, Zhu K#, Zhu J, Guo M, Li Y, Chen Y, Chen Y, Zou Y, Wu D, Xu J, Yi W, Fan Y, Ma S, Chen Y, Xu J, Yang L, Dai J, Ye T*, Lu Z*, Chen Y*. “Early blood immune molecular alterations in cynomolgus monkeys with a PSEN1 mutation causing familial Alzheimer's disease”, Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2024, 20(8):5492-5510. doi: 10.1002/alz.14046.
15. Jiao J#, Xu D#, Kong Y#*, Cao Y#, Wang L, Hong Y, Li L, Gao C, Liu J, Zhang G, Zhou J, Dai J, Lu Z, Liu Y, Wang Y*, Zhang Z*. “circFKBP8(5S,6)-encoded protein as a novel endogenous regulator in major depressive disorder by inhibiting glucocorticoid receptor nucleus translocation”, Science Bulletin, 2024: S2095-9273(24)00446-8. doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.06.021.
16. Gaojia Zhang#, Ling Li#, Yan Kong#,*, Dandan Xu, Yu Bao, Zhiting Zhang, Zhixiang Liao, Jiao Jiao, Dandan Fan, Xiaojing Long, Ji Dai, Chunming Xie, Zhiqiang Meng*, Zhijun Zhang*. “Vitamin D-binding protein in plasma microglia-derived extracellular vesicles as a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder”, Genes & Disease, 2024, 11(2):1009-1021.
17. Liang Shan#, Liu Yuan#, Bo Zhang#, Jian Ma, Xiao Xu, Fei Gu, Yi Jiang*, Ji Dai*. “Neural Integration of Audiovisual Sensory Inputs in Macaque Amygdala and Adjacent Regions”, Neuroscience Bulletin, 2023, 39(12):1749−1761. (Cover article)
19. Panke Yu#, Zhiting Zhang#, Yuyin Wang, Ji Dai*. “Protocol for MRI-guided virus injection in macaque deep brain regions”, STAR Protocols, 2023, 4:102768.
20. Chunshan Deng, Xiaojian Li, Ji Dai*. “Challenges for translating implantable brain-computer interface to medical device”, The Innovation Medicine, 2023, 1:100040.
21. Xinhe Liu, Lu Gan, Zhiting Zhang, Panke Yu, Ji Dai*. “Probing the Processing of Facial Expression via Time Perception and Eye Tracking in Monkeys”, Zoological Research, 2023, 44(5):882-893.
22. Ji Dai*, Xin Cao, Yong Han, Tianbin Song, Yuming Guo, Jie Qiao. “The Innovation Medicine: An international journal of medical science”, The Innovation Medicine, 2023, 1:100001.
23. Ji Dai*, “Launching from Earth”, The Innovation, 2023, 4:100430.
24. Ying Zhang#*, Dheeraj Roy#*, Yi Zhu, Yefei Chen, Tomomi Aida, Yuanyuan Hou, Chenjie Shen, Nicholas Lea, Margaret Schroeder, Keith Skaggs, Heather Sullivan, Kyle Fischer, Edward Callaway, Ian Wickersham, Ji Dai, Xiao-Ming Li, Zhonghua Lu, Guoping Feng*. “Targeting thalamic circuits rescues motor and mood deficits in PD mice”, Nature, 2022, 607: 321-329.
25. Lu Gan, Jinglong Wu, Ji Dai*, Shintaro Funahashi*. “The Mechanism for Allocating Limited Working Memory Resources in Multitasking”, Neuroscience Bulletin, 2022, 38(7):829-833.
26. Jiani Chen, Liang Shan, Ji Dai*. “Distinct Recovery Process of Consciousness and Cognition after Anesthesia”, Neuroscience Bulletin, 2022, 38(1): 110-112.
27. Yongjun Xu, Qi Wang, Zhulin An, et al., “Artificial Intelligence: A Powerful Paradigm for Scientific Research”. The Innovation, 2021, 2:100179.
28. Ji Dai*. “Gaining a Better Understanding of Nonhuman Primate Research”, Science Bulletin, 2021, 66(15):1499-1501.
29. Yuxuan Yao, Ji Dai*. “Naturally Occurring Parkinson’s Disease Raises the Need for Nonhuman Primate in Neurodegenerative Diseases Research”, Neuroscience Bulletin, 2021, 37(8):1267-1269.
30. Tremblay S, Acker L, Afraz A, et al., “An Open Resource for Non-human Primate Optogenetics”. Neuron. 2020, 108(6):1075-1090.e6.
31. Chunshan Deng, Hong Yuan, Ji Dai*. “Behavioral Manipulation by Optogenetics in the Nonhuman Primate”, The Neuroscientist, 2018, 24(5): 526-539.
32. Ji Dai, Yi Wang. “Contrast coding in the primary visual cortex depends on temporal contexts”, European Journal of Neuroscience. 2018, 47(8): 947-58.
33. Bo Zhang, Ji Dai*, Tao Zhang. “NeoAnalysis: A Python-Based Toolbox for Quick Electrophysiological Data Processing and Analysis”. Biomedical Engineering Online. 2017, 16:129.
34. Ji Dai*, Tao Zhang. “The progress of optogenetic studies in nonhuman primates”, Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics, 2016, 43(4): 354-360.
35. Ji Dai, Ilker Ozden, Daniel I. Brooks, Fabien Wagner, Travis May, Naubahar Agha, Benjamin Brush, David Borton, Arto V. Nurmikko, David L. Sheinberg “Modified toolbox for optogenetics in the nonhuman primate”, Neurophotonics, 2015, 2(3), 031202.
36. Ji Dai, Daniel I. Brooks, David L. Sheinberg. “Optogenetic and electrical microstimulation systematically bias visuospatial choice in primates”. Current Biology, 2014 Jan 6;24(1):63-9.
37. Ji Dai and Yi Wang. “Representation of Surface Luminance and Contrast in Primary Visual Cortex”, Cerebral Cortex. 2012, 22(4):776-87.
Research Interests
Neural mechanism underlying visual processing, attention, working memory, and emotion.
Application of optogenetics/chemogenetics in the nonhuman primate
Conferences
1. Ji Dai and David Sheinberg, “Optogenetic manipulation of spatial attention and working memory in the nonhuman primate”, The 6th FAONS Congress and the 11th Biennial Conference of CNS, Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China, Sep 20-23, 2015
2. Ji Dai and David L. Sheinberg. "Modulation of spatial working memory by optogenetic stimulation in the nonhuman primate", Society for Neuroscience, Washington DC, Nov 15-19, 2014.
3. Ji Dai and David L. Sheinberg. "Optogenetic activation biases spatial attention and working momory in the primates", The 5th Chinese Physiopsychology Conference, Shantou, Guangdong, China, Oct 22-25, 2014.
4. Ji Dai, Daniel I. Brooks, David L. Sheinberg. "Establishing a standard protocol for effective integration of optogenetic methods in awake behaving non-human primate experiments", Society for Neuroscience, 2013. San Diego, California.
5. Ji Dai, Daniel I. Brooks, David L. Sheinberg. "Modulating Attention by Optogenetic Stimulation in the Non-human Primate", Society for Neuroscience, 2012. New Orleans, Louisiana.
6. Daniel I. Brooks, Ji Dai, & David L. Sheinberg. "The Contribution of Area LIP to Naturalistic Visual Search", Society for Neuroscience, 2012. New Orleans, Louisiana.
7. Daniel I. Brooks, Ji Dai, & David L. Sheinberg. "Contextual Cueing in Visual Search Through Naturalistic Scenes by Primates", 19th Annual International Conference on Comparative Cognition, 2012. Melbourne, Florida
8. I. Ozden, J. Wang, D. A. Borton, F. B. P. Wagner, B. R. M. Brush, N. S. Agha, D. I. Brooks, J. Dai, M. Diagne, D. L. Sheinberg, A. V. Nurmikko. "A Versatile Tool for Optogenetic Neuromodulation in Non-human Primates: The Single Coaxial Optrode". Society for Neuroscience, 2011. Washington, DC
9. Daniel I. Brooks, Ji Dai, and David L. Sheinberg. "Scene-based Contextual Cueing in the Rhesus Macaque", Vision Sciences Society 11th Annual Meeting, 2011. Naples, Florida
10. Yi Wang, Ji Dai, Ran Li and Yong Wang. "Neural Mechanisms Underlying Luminance Responses in Primary Visual Cortex", The Fourth Shanghai International Conference on Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 2011. Shanghai.
Students
已指导学生
袁宏 硕士研究生 040201-基础心理学
陈鑫 硕士研究生 085211-计算机技术
李文艺 硕士研究生 085404-计算机技术
王钰茵 硕士研究生 086000-生物与医药
袁柳 硕士研究生 086000-生物与医药
俞潘可 硕士研究生 086000-生物与医药
现指导学生
邱文灿 硕士研究生 085409-生物医学工程
胡永琪 硕士研究生 086000-生物与医药
马海燕 硕士研究生 085409-生物医学工程