Xu Wang

Xu Wang is an Associate Professor at the School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), with an affiliation at the Biodesign Center for Single Molecule Biophysics. He holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta, Canada. His research focuses on biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of cellular processes involving complex carbohydrates, particularly glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), using techniques like NMR spectroscopy. His work explores GAG-protein interactions in diseases such as cancer, thrombosis, and Alzheimer’s, aiming to design therapeutic GAG mimics. Dr. Wang has secured grants from NIH-NIGMS, including studies on bacterial adhesin interactions and single-molecule sequencing of GAGs. He teaches courses in biochemistry and research techniques, and mentors students in honors thesis and directed study programs.

Research Interests: Dr. Wang’s lab investigates carbohydrate-protein interactions, emphasizing GAG dynamics and their role in inflammation, stem cell maintenance, and coagulation. Techniques include NMR spectroscopy, paramagnetic labeling, and microarray technology. His work bridges structural biology, glycobiology, and biomedical applications, targeting the design of GAG analogs to modulate protein interactions.

Grants & Service: He leads NIH-funded projects and serves as a reviewer for journals like PLoS One, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Biochemistry. His lab collaborates on projects involving integrin interactions, chemokine oligomerization, and bacterial adhesins.

Labs/Teams: The Wang Lab focuses on NMR-based structural studies, developing novel techniques to probe electrostatic interactions and GAG oligomer purification. They collaborate with teams in microbiology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology to advance glycomics research.