1983年毕业于蚌埠医学院医疗系，获医学学士学位；先后于1990和1995年获南京医科大学医学硕士和医学博士学位

毕业后留校从事药理学教学与科研 1995-1998在中山医科大学药理学教研室从事博士后研究并被聘为副教授。1998-1999在香港大学医学院生理学系任高级研究助理。1999-2005在美国新泽西医学院药理学/生理学系任副研究员

2006年以来，主持国家“重大新药创制”科技重大专项、国家自然科学基金、其它省部级课题和企业创新药物研究课题15项，获得研究经费1800万余元。

近年来，在JBC, Clin Can Res, Can Let, JPET, Mol Pharmacol, Bri J Pharmacol，Anesthesia and Analgesia等SCI收录的国际著名杂志上发表研究论著20余篇 近年来发表的代表性研究论著：（CA：通讯作者；IF发表当年的SCI影响因子）
1. He B, Tong X, Wang L, Wang Q, Ye H, Liu B, Hong X, Tao LCA , Harris AL. Tramadol and Flurbiprofen Depress the Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin via Their Effects on Gap Junctions. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15(18):5803-5810 (IF=6.5)
2. Hong X, Wang Q, Yang Y, Zheng S, Tong X, Zhang S, Tao L CA, Harris AL. Gap Junctions Propagate Opposite Effects in Normal and Tumor Testicular Cells in Response to Cisplatin. Cancer Lett. 2012; 317(2):165-71 (IF=4.864)
3. Wang Q, You T, Yuan D, Han X, Hong X, He B, Wang L, Tong X, Tao L CA , Harris AL. Cisplatin and Oxaliplatin Inhibit Gap Junctional Communication by Direct Action and by Reduction of Connexin Expression, Thereby Counteracting Cytotoxic Efficacy. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.2010; 333(3):1-9 (IF=4.09)
4. Tao L CA, Harris AL. 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate directly inhibits channels Composed of connexin26 and/or connexin32. Molecular Pharmacology 2007; 71(2):570-579 (IF=4.8)
5. Zhao Y, Liu B, Wang Q, Yuan D, Yang Y, Hong X, Wang X, Tao L CA . Propofol
Depresses the Cytotoxicity of X-ray Irradiation Through Inhibition of Gap Junctions. Anesth Analg . 2011; 112(5):1088-1095 (IF=3.05)
6. Tao L, Harris AL. Biochemical requirements for inhibition of Connexin26-containing channels by natural and synthetic taurine analogs. J Biol Chem. 2004; 279(37): 38544-38555（IF=6.2）
7. Locke D, Kieken F, Tao L, Sorgen PL, Harris AL, Mechanism for modulation of gating of connexin26-containing channels by taurine. J Gen Physiol. 2011; 138(3):321-339 (IF=4. 3)
8. Liu B, Wang Q, Yuan D, Hong X, Tao L CA. Berberine potentizes apoptosis induced by X-rays irradiation probably through modulation of gap junctions. Chinese Medical Journal. 2011;124(8):1221-1228 (IF=0.983)
9. Yang Y, Cao M, Wang Q, Yuan D, Li L,Tao L CA.The effects of 2- aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and diphenylboronic anhydride on gap junctions composed of connexin43 in TM4 sertoli cells. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2011;34(9):1390-1397(IF=1.811)
10. Yang J, Liu B, Wang Q, Yuan D, Hong X, Yang Y, Tao L CA.Connexin 32 and its derived homotypic gap junctional intercellular communication inhibit the migration and Invasion of transfected HeLa cells via enhancement of intercellular adhesion. Mol Med Report. 2011; 4(5):971-979.( IF=0.307)
11. Duan J, Wang Q, Deng CY, Kuang SJ, Chen RZ, Tao L CA . Effects of carvedilol on delayed rectifier and transient inactivating potassium currents in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2010; 37(10):996-1003 (IF=1.978)
12. YE J, Tao L. Zhu L. Krnjevik K. Mcardle JJ. Decay of ethanol-induced suppression of glycine-activated current of ventral tegmental area neurons. Neuropharmacology 2002; 43(4):788 (IF=3.3)
13. Tao L. YE J. Inhibition of glycine receptor function of native neurons by aliphatic n-alcohols. British Journal of Pharmacology 2002; 136(4):629 （IF=4.9）
14. Tao L, YE J. Protein kinase C modulation of ethanol inhibition of glycine-activated current in dissociated neurons of rat ventral tegmental area. Journal Pharmacology Experimental Therapeutics 2002; 300(3):967 （IF=4.3）
15. Tao L, Huang Y and Bourreau JP. Control of the mode excitation-contraction coupling by Ca2+ stores in bovine trachealis muscle. Am J Physiol 2000; 279(4): L722 （IF=4.5）