Ke Xia

Ke Xia is a Research Assistant Professor and Director of the Proteomics Core at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he has held roles in the Linhardt Research Labs and the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies since 2001. His research focuses on protein and glycan chemistry, with a strong emphasis on mass spectrometry-based proteomics, glycomics, and the development of bioengineered glycans for medical applications. Xia has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including work in Nature journals and PNAS, and has contributed to advancements in antiviral agents, stem cell differentiation, and protein aggregation studies.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA (2009)
• M.Sc. in Chemistry, Peking University, China (2004)
• B.Eng. in Materials Science & Engineering, Donghua University, China (2001)

Research Interests:

Xia’s work spans glycobiology (e.g., heparin synthesis and viral-glycan interactions), protein stability (e.g., SDS-resistant protein aggregates), and biomedical applications (e.g., heparin analogs for anticoagulation and antiviral therapies). He employs advanced techniques like CRISPR screening, bioinformatics, and machine learning to study glycan roles in disease and development.

Awards:

• W. H. Bauer Doctoral Prize in Chemistry (2009)
• Winner of Rensselaer’s Change the World Challenge (2009 & 2010)
• DANKONG Scholarship (2003)

Advising & Labs:

Xia has advised over 40 students and researchers, emphasizing interdisciplinary training in glycomics and proteomics. His lab focuses on translating glycan research into clinical tools, such as novel antiviral agents and engineered heparins. Collaborations include projects on stem cell differentiation, cardiovascular protein aggregates, and biomaterials for tissue engineering.