معرفی
Huilin Li, Ph.D., is Chair and Professor of Structural Biology at Van Andel Institute (VAI), holding the Ralph and Grace Hauenstein Endowed Chair. A globally recognized leader in structural biology, he specializes in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, protein glycosylation, and mycobacterial pathogenesis. His work integrates structural insights with functional studies to advance therapies for diseases like cancer and tuberculosis.
Dr. Li earned his Ph.D. in electron crystallography from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, followed by postdoctoral training at Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory. He joined Stony Brook University in 2010 before moving to VAI in 2016. His lab leverages cutting-edge cryo-EM technology to visualize molecular machinery at near-atomic resolution, focusing on DNA replication origins, protein glycosylation pathways, and the tuberculosis proteasome.
His research interests include:
- DNA Replication: Elucidating the architecture of replication forks, CMG helicase function, and PCNA loading mechanisms.
- Protein Glycosylation: Investigating N- and O-linked glycan biosynthesis and their roles in protein trafficking and disease.
- Tuberculosis Pathogenesis: Studying the mycobacterial proteasome and its inhibitors to combat drug-resistant TB.
- Energy Conservation: Exploring ancient respiratory complexes and electron bifurcation mechanisms in microbes.
Dr. Li’s team has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers in 2024 alone, including high-impact contributions to Nature, Science, and Cell. Collaborations with labs globally drive innovation in structural biology, particularly in cryo-EM applications.
His lab includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research scientists, mentoring the next generation of structural biologists. Key projects aim to bridge basic science and translational medicine, with implications for drug development and disease intervention.
