Biography
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Boya Distinguished Professor, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University (2020 to present)
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Principal Investigator, PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences (2020 to present)
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Adjunct Investigator, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University (2022 to present)
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Principal Investigator, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics (Innovation Academy of Precision Measurement Science and Technology), Chinese Academy of Sciences (2010 to 2020)
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Director, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2014 to 2020)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia (2008-2020)
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Postdoc in Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (2003-2008)
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Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (1998-2003)
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B.S. degree in Biology, Zhejiang University (1994-1998)
Teaching
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Characterization Techniques II (fall)
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Biophysical Chemistry (spring)
Awards
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National "Ten Thousand Talents Program" Leading Scientist in Science and Technology Innovation (2018)
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National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2013)
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National "Ten Thousand Talents Program" Young Top-notch Talent (2013)
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Early-Career Scientist (2012)
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Wang Tianjuan Spectroscopy Award of the Chinese Physical Society (2012)
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"Hundred Talents Program" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2011)
Research Interests
Our group is fascinated by the intricate world of biomolecular dynamics, as the understanding how biological molecules change their shapes and interact with each other over time is key to unlocking the secrets of life's processes.
Our investigations focus on three interconnected pillars:
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Unraveling Conformational Landscapes: We strive to understand how biological molecules, particularly proteins, adopt diverse conformations and engage in dynamic interactions while performing their specific functions. This includes exploring the intricate dance of proteins as they fold, bind to partners, and undergo allosteric regulations.
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Deciphering the Driving Forces: We delve into the factors that govern these dynamic transformations. This encompasses investigating how environmental cues like pH and temperature, as well as covalent modifications and interactions with other molecules, influence the conformational equilibria and dynamics of biomolecules.
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Developing Cutting-Edge Tools: Recognizing the limitations of current techniques, we are passionate about developing innovative methods to probe biomolecular dynamics with greater precision and resolution. Our past successes include:
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NMR Spectroscopy: We have pioneered novel NMR approaches, such as paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, to characterize transient and sparsely populated conformational states that are often invisible to conventional methods.
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Single-Molecule Fluorescence: We have advanced single-molecule FRET techniques to visualize the dynamic motions of individual molecules in real-time, providing unprecedented insights into their conformational heterogeneity.
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Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry: We have refined cross-linking mass spectrometry to map protein-protein interactions and capture transient conformational states, revealing subtle changes of protein dynamics and intricate networks of biomolecular interactions.
Currently, we are pushing the boundaries of structural biology and biophysical chemistry by developing methods to characterize protein structures and dynamics in situ , within the complex environment of living cells. This includes spatially resolved techniques that can map the conformational landscapes of proteins in different cellular compartments. By combining these powerful approaches, we aim to illuminate the dynamic nature of biomolecules and their essential roles in health and disease.
More information about our research activities can be found at
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=M1JwkrwAAAAJ