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职业迁徙
个人简介
Yuan Chaun Lee is an academy professor and a research professor in the Department of Biology.
Research
Glycobiology: Glycoproteins, Glycolipids, and Cell Surface Carbohydrate Receptors
Glycoconjugates (i.e., glycoproteins, glycolipids, etc.) are widely distributed in nature, and play diverse and important functions. We are trying to understand how carbohydrate groups in glycoconjugates are recognized in biological systems, and how they function as biological signals. Our current major interests are listed below:
1) Carbohydrate-mediated defense mechanism. Carbohydrate recognition can be used in a defense mechanism. A typical case is mannose-binding protein in human serum, which performs pre-immune defense against invading agents. An acute-phase protein, C-reactive protein, is another such defense molecule, and we are investigating its carbohydrate-binding specificity as related to its biological functions.
2) Glycopathology, i.e., how the glycoconjugates are involved in various pathogenesis and how they can be used in prevention. Among the avian species, pigeons and doves are unique in that their egg proteins contain “galabiose” (Gala(1-4)Gal) sequence. The galabiose exists in human cells as glycolipids, and is a ligand for many pathogenic microbes as well as for some microbial toxins. Pigeon egg white glycoproteins and oligosaccharides or glycopeptides inhibit microbial invasion as well as internalization of toxins.
3) Evolution of glycans in glycoproteins in avian species (AvioGlycomics). It is curious that only pigeons and doves are known to have the galabiose sequence in its N-glycans. We are examining the phylogenetically related avian eggs to gain insight to this enigma.
4) Glycoside clustering effect. Carbohydrates are the only biopolymers that can form branched structures. Hence the specific recognition of carbohydrates often involves subtle differentiation of branched structures. When spatially suitably oriented, the terminal sugar units of clustered carbohydrates, which are often the target for recognition, can manifest tremendous enhancement of binding affinity, which is termed “glycoside clustering effect”. We are investigating the origin of this effect so that it can be used in construction of effective “glyco-drugs.” We are now adopting nanotechnology to explore innovative approaches in this area. One of the practical application of this methodology is to organ specific delivery of a malaria drug, promaquine, to the liver. Liver is where Pasmodium falciparum spends the longest time. By selective delivery of the drug to liver, it is expected to combat malaria without severe side effect.
5) Covid-19 related. Covid-19 virus first attaches to ACE-2, which may cause some changes in the ACE-2 enzyme activity. We are searching for potentials for such changes by designing new and more efficient assay methods of ACE-2. Moreover, many natural glycosaminoglycans are shown to bind the Covid-19 Receptor-Binding-Domain. We are examining the details of such binding, which may aid in detection/treatment of Covid-19.
Research
Glycobiology: Glycoproteins, Glycolipids, and Cell Surface Carbohydrate Receptors
Glycoconjugates (i.e., glycoproteins, glycolipids, etc.) are widely distributed in nature, and play diverse and important functions. We are trying to understand how carbohydrate groups in glycoconjugates are recognized in biological systems, and how they function as biological signals. Our current major interests are listed below:
1) Carbohydrate-mediated defense mechanism. Carbohydrate recognition can be used in a defense mechanism. A typical case is mannose-binding protein in human serum, which performs pre-immune defense against invading agents. An acute-phase protein, C-reactive protein, is another such defense molecule, and we are investigating its carbohydrate-binding specificity as related to its biological functions.
2) Glycopathology, i.e., how the glycoconjugates are involved in various pathogenesis and how they can be used in prevention. Among the avian species, pigeons and doves are unique in that their egg proteins contain “galabiose” (Gala(1-4)Gal) sequence. The galabiose exists in human cells as glycolipids, and is a ligand for many pathogenic microbes as well as for some microbial toxins. Pigeon egg white glycoproteins and oligosaccharides or glycopeptides inhibit microbial invasion as well as internalization of toxins.
3) Evolution of glycans in glycoproteins in avian species (AvioGlycomics). It is curious that only pigeons and doves are known to have the galabiose sequence in its N-glycans. We are examining the phylogenetically related avian eggs to gain insight to this enigma.
4) Glycoside clustering effect. Carbohydrates are the only biopolymers that can form branched structures. Hence the specific recognition of carbohydrates often involves subtle differentiation of branched structures. When spatially suitably oriented, the terminal sugar units of clustered carbohydrates, which are often the target for recognition, can manifest tremendous enhancement of binding affinity, which is termed “glycoside clustering effect”. We are investigating the origin of this effect so that it can be used in construction of effective “glyco-drugs.” We are now adopting nanotechnology to explore innovative approaches in this area. One of the practical application of this methodology is to organ specific delivery of a malaria drug, promaquine, to the liver. Liver is where Pasmodium falciparum spends the longest time. By selective delivery of the drug to liver, it is expected to combat malaria without severe side effect.
5) Covid-19 related. Covid-19 virus first attaches to ACE-2, which may cause some changes in the ACE-2 enzyme activity. We are searching for potentials for such changes by designing new and more efficient assay methods of ACE-2. Moreover, many natural glycosaminoglycans are shown to bind the Covid-19 Receptor-Binding-Domain. We are examining the details of such binding, which may aid in detection/treatment of Covid-19.
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