Xiaochun Li

Xiaochun Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. His research integrates structural biology and biochemistry to study cholesterol metabolism, developmental signaling pathways, and lysosomal transport mechanisms. He established the Li Lab in 2017, which now includes 12 members and focuses on expanding research into animal models.

• B.S. in Chemistry from Tsinghua University (2008)
• Ph.D. in Structural Biology under Yigong Shi at Tsinghua University (2012)
• Postdoctoral fellowship with Günter Blobel (Nobel Laureate) at Rockefeller University

Research areas include:

• Cholesterol efflux via ABCG transporters
• Regulation of Hedgehog signaling by sterols
• Structural mechanisms of V-ATPase inhibition
• Wnt biogenesis and signaling complexes
• Lysosomal transporters like Sialin and Cystinosin

Scientific awards:

• Tri-Institutional Breakout Prize for Junior Investigators

His lab has trained numerous researchers, including alumni now at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Wuhan University, MIT, and Baylor College of Medicine. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature, Science, and Nature Communications.