Chang Cui

Chang Cui is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and the Department of Biochemistry. He joined the university in November 2023 after postdoctoral work at Harvard University and MIT. His research focuses on the structure, function, and inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), a critical enzyme for DNA synthesis and repair. Key research interests include cofactor assembly mechanisms, allosteric regulation, and inhibitor design targeting RNR to combat cancer and antibiotic-resistant pathogens like gonorrhea.

Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry (Harvard University and MIT, 2018–2023), M.S. in Biochemistry (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2012–2018), B.S. in Biochemistry (Peking University, 2008–2012).

Research highlights include cryo-EM structural studies of RNR-inhibitor complexes, proton transfer networks in radical transport, and engineering enzymes like laccase for enhanced catalytic efficiency. His work bridges biochemistry, structural biology, and drug discovery, with implications for both human health and antimicrobial therapies.

Awards and grants: Not explicitly listed in provided texts.

Lab: Cui Lab, focusing on RNR’s role in nucleic acid metabolism and drug development. Collaborations span structural biology, enzymology, and medicinal chemistry.