Sisi Li Lab

Jing Nan

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

RNA post-transcriptional modifications; structural analysis of important membrane proteins.

Research Interests

Epigenetics and membrane proteins

Education and Work Experience

🎓 PhD, Huazhong Agricultural University (2013.09-2020.12)
💼 Postdoctoral Fellow, Fudan University (2021.05-2023.05)
💼 Postdoctoral Fellow, Southern University of Science and Technology (2023.07-2025.10)
💼 Associate Research Professor, Shenzhen University (2025.11-Present)

Published Papers

1.Nan J#, Xu H#, Kang S#, Xie G, Zhao J, Li S*. Structural basis of glucosinolate recognition and polyspecific transport by the glucosinolate transporter GTR1. J Biol Chem. 2026 May 24:113190.
2.Ziyang Shan # , Xuemei Yang # , Huihui Liu # , Yafei Yuan # , Yuan Xiao # , Jing Nan # , Wei Zhang, Wenqi Song, Jufang Wang, Feiwen Wei, Yanqing Zhang*. Cryo-EM structures of human organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP1B1. Cell Research. 2023 Dec; 33 (12):940-951.
3.Nan J # , Yuan Y# , Yang X# , Shan Z # , Liu H, Wei F, Zhang W, Zhang Y*. Cryo-EM structure of the human sodium-chloride cotransporter NCC. Science Advances. 2022 Nov 11;8(45):eadd7176.
4.Nan J, Zhang S, Zhan P, Jiang L*. Discovery of Novel GMPS Inhibitors of Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus by Structure Based Design and Enzyme Kinetic. Biology (Basel). 2021 Jun 28;10(7):594.
5.Nan J, Zhang S, Jiang, L*. Antibacterial Potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GJ1 against Citrus Huang longbing. Plants 2021, 10,261.
6.Nan J, Zhang R, Zhan P, Jiang L*. Evaluation of Bronopol and Disulfiram as Potential Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Inosine 5’-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors by Using Molecular Docking and Enzyme Kinetic. Molecules 2020, 25,2313.

Sisi Kang

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Using structural biology approaches to elucidate viral proteins and mechanisms of virus-host interactions.

Research Interests

Virus-host interactions

Education and Work Experience

🎓 Bachelor’s Degree, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2005-2010)
🎓 Master’s Degree, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2010-2013)
🎓 PhD, Sun Yat-sen University (2017-2020)
💼 Postdoctoral Fellow, Sun Yat-sen University (2020-2023)

Published Papers

1. Kang, S. #*, Yang, M.#, He, S.#, Wang, Y., Chen, X., Chen, Y. Q., Hong, Z., Liu, J., Jiang, G., Chen, Q., Zhou, Z., Zhou, Z., Huang, Z., Huang, X., He, H., Zheng, W., Liao, H. X., Xiao, F., Shan, H., & Chen, S. (2021). A SARS-CoV-2 antibody curbs viral nucleocapsid protein-induced complement hyperactivation. Nature communications, 12(1),2697.
1. Kang, S.*, Yang, M., Hong, Z., Zhang, L., Huang, Z., Chen, X., He, S., Zhou, Z., Zhou, Z., Chen, Q., Yan, Y., Zhang, C., Shan, H., & Chen, S. (2020). Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein RNA binding domain reveals potential unique drug targeting sites. Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B, 10(7), 1228–1238.
1. Yang, M., He, S., Chen, X., Huang, Z., Zhou, Z., Zhou, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, S., & Kang, S*. (2021). Structural Insight Into the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein C-Terminal Domain Reveals a Novel Recognition Mechanism for Viral Transcriptional Regulatory Sequences. Frontiers in chemistry, 8,624765.
1. Zhou, Z., Kang, S*., Huang, Z., Zhou, Z., & Chen, S. (2021). Structural characteristics of coiled-coil regions in AF10-DOT1L and AF10-inhibitory peptide complex. Journal of leukocyte biology, 110(6), 1091–1099.
1. Kang, S.*, Wang, Z., Li, B., Gao, X., He, W., Cao, S., Cai, Y., & Chen, H. (2019). Anti-tumor effects of resveratrol on malignant melanoma is associated with promoter demethylation of RUNX3 gene. Die Pharmazie, 74(3), 163–167.

Yuxin Huang

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Research on the non-canonical functions of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)-encoded proteins in DNA damage repair.

Research Interests

DNA damage repair

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc in Biological Science (Teacher Education), School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University (2008.09-2012.07)
🎓 PhD in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center (2012.09-2019.01)
💼 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (2019.05-2022.12)
💼 Postdoctoral Fellow, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Biomedical Innovation, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (2023.02-2025.03)
💼 Associate Research Professor, Medical School, Shenzhen University (2025.04-Present)

Published Papers

1. Wenjie Ren*, Yuxin Huang*, Min Hu, Yanyang Yang, Wen Yang# & Hui Wang# (2026) Client recruitment mechanism of the cytosolic Fe-S cluster assembly targeting complex. EMBO J 45, 1264–1291.
1. Yuxin Huang*, Wenjing Li*, Tzeh Foo, Jae-Hoon Ji, Bo Wu, Nozomi Tomimatsu, Qingming Fang, Boya Gao, Melissa Long, Jingfei Xu, Rouf Maqbool, Bipasha Mukherjee, Tengyang Ni, Salvador Alejo, Yuan He, Sandeep Burma, Li Lan, Bing Xia & Weixing Zhao# (2024) DSS1 restrains BRCA2’s engagement with dsDNA for homologous recombination, replication fork protection, and R-loop homeostasis. Nat Commun 15,7081.
1. David G. Maranon*, Neelam Sharma*, Yuxin Huang*, Platon Selemenakis, Meiling Wang, Noelia Altina, Weixing Zhao#, Claudia Wiese# (2020) NUCKS1 promotes RAD54 activity in homologous recombination DNA repair. J. Cell Biol. 219 (10): e201911049.
1. Fei Ye*, Yuxin Huang*, Jianchao Li, Yuqian Ma, Chensu Xie, Zexu Liu, Xiaoying Deng, Jun Wan, Tian Xue, Wei Liu#, Mingjie Zhang# An unexpected INAD PDZ tandem-mediated PLCβ binding in Drosophila photo receptors. eLife 2018;7:e41848.

Changshi Wang

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Structural biology research on epigenetics-related protein complexes.

Research Interests

Molecular biology

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc, School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University (2010.08–2014.06)
🎓 MSc, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University (2014.09–2017.09)
🎓 PhD, College of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology (2019.09–2025.06)

Fan Zou

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Innate immunity.

Research Interests

Immunology

Education and Work Experience

🎓 Bachelor’s Degree, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai (2010-2014)
🎓 Study/Research Experience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2015-2016)
🎓 PhD, Southern University of Science and Technology (2018-2022)

Published Papers

Zou F, Tu R, Duan B, et al. Drosophila YBX1 homolog YPS promotes ovarian germ line stem cell development by preferentially recognizing 5-methylcytosine RNAs[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2020, 117(7): 3603-3609.

Abira Jawed

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Structural basis of protein recognition in epitranscriptomically modified RNAs.

Research Interests

Protein–epitranscriptomic RNA complexes

Education and Work Experience

🎓 M.Phil. in Molecular Medicine, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan (2017-2024)
💼 Research Assistant, Biomedical and Molecular Biology Research Lab, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences (2021-2024)
🎓 PhD Student in Biology, Shenzhen University (2024-Present)

Published Papers

Hasan, A., Roome, T., Wahid, M., Ansari, S. A., Khan, J. A., Jilani, S. N. A., … & Kiyani, A. (2023). Expression of Toll-like receptor 2, Dectin-1, and Osteopontin in murine model of pulpitis. Clinical Oral Investigations, 27(3), 1177-1192.Hameed, A., Hafizur, R. M., Khan, M. I., Jawed, A., Wang, H., Zhao, M., … & Sharma, K. R. (2019). Coixol amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via cAMP mediated signaling pathway. European Journal of Pharmacology, 858,172514.

Jiali Wei

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Ubiquitination modification and structural biology.

Research Interests

Ubiquitination modification

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc in Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University (2015.09-2020.06)
🎓 MSc in Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University (2021.09-2024.06)
🎓 PhD Student in Biology, Shenzhen University (2024.09-Present)

Yangying Chen

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Molecular biology.

Research Interests

Molecular biology and cell biology

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc in Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University (2017.09-2021.06)
🎓 MSc in Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University (2022.09-2024.06)
🎓 PhD Student in Biology, Shenzhen University (2025.09-Present)

Yingyu Peng

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

mRNA post-transcriptional modification and structural biology.

Research Interests

mRNA post-transcriptional modification

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology, Kunming University (2020.09-2024.06)
🎓 Master’s Student in Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University (2024.09-Present)

Zhaochen Li

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

AI large model-assisted design of biological regulatory elements.

Research Interests

Riboswitch design

Education and Work Experience

🎓 Master’s Student in Basic Medicine, Medical School, Shenzhen University (2025-Present)
🎓 Second Bachelor Degree in Software Engineering, Northwest A&F University (2024-2025)
🎓 BSc in Chemical Biology, Northwest A&F University (2020-2025)

Published Papers

Li ZC, Xie TC, Feng XL, Wang ZX, Lin C, Li GM, Li XZ, Qi J. The First Five Mitochondrial Genomes for the Family Nidulariaceae Reveal Novel Gene Rearrangements, Intron Dynamics, and Phylogeny of Agaricales. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 9;24(16):12599. doi:10.3390/ijms241612599. PMID: 37628782; PMCID: PMC10454537.

Kangzong Wang

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Description

Experienced in omics data analysis and integration across animals, plants, and microorganisms; currently focusing on feature mining based on biological language models.

Research Interests

Biological data mining and deep learning

Education and Work Experience

🎓 BSc in Biotechnology, Northeast Forestry University (2015.09-2019.06)
🎓 MSc in Developmental Biology, Northeast Forestry University (2019.09-2022.06)
🎓 Visiting Student, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2020.07-2022.09)
💼 Research Assistant, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2022.09-2024.09)
💼 Research Assistant, Carlson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University (2024.10-Present)

Published Papers

Hua X, Song W, Wang K, Yin X, Hao C, Duan B, Xu Z, Su T, Xue Z. Effective prediction of biosynthetic pathway genes involved in bioactive polyphyllins in Paris polyphylla. Commun Biol. 2022 Jan 13;5(1):50. doi:10.1038/s42003-022-03000-z. PMID: 35027659; PMCID: PMC8758714.

Join Us

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Sisi Li Research Group at the International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University, is seeking highly motivated individuals to join our team. We offer a collaborative and dynamic research environment focused on RNA homeostasis and immunity.

Congratulations to Associate Researcher Nanjing on JBC Publication!

Fri, 22 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Our lab’s associate researcher, Nanjing, has published a research article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC) exploring the structural basis of glucosinolate recognition and polyspecific transport by AtGTR1.

2026 Annual Group Outing

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the Opening Ceremony of the Cryo-EM Center at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Morphological Programming in Gold (III) Coordination Assemblies via pH-Modulated Noncovalent Hierarchy

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

2025 Annual Group Outing

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the Closing Ceremony of the Shenzhen University “Two Bombs, One Satellite” Spirit Education and Practice Training Program

Congratulations to Professor Li on being elected as a Standing Director of the 5th Board of the Shenzhen Association of Non-Party Intellectuals!

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

2025 Graduation Gala

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Celebrating the graduation of our talented students and acknowledging their contributions to RNA research.

2025 Annual Group Outing

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the 2025 Symposium on Basic Medicine of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a compartmentalized antiviral interferon response in the nasal epithelium of mice

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

2024 Lab New Year's Party

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Celebrating the holiday season together with festive food, games, and great company.

2024 Team Building Retreat

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A day of fun and collaboration, fostering bonds outside the laboratory environment.

2024 Annual Group Outing

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the 2024 Committee Meeting of the Basic Medicine Division of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2024 Annual Group Outing

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the 2024 Frontiers in Biological Structures Conference

2024 Graduation Celebration

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Commemorating the hard work and success of our graduating members as they embark on their next journey.

2023 Annual Group Outing

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the Joint Cancer Research Meeting.

2023 Annual Group Outing

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Strengthening team spirit and celebrating our collective achievements during a memorable day out.

Long noncoding RNA ARTA controls ABA response through MYB7 nuclear trafficking in Arabidopsis

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Molecular basis of the plant ROS1-mediated active DNA demethylation

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Structure and mechanism of the plant RNA polymerase V

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

About

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Sisi Li Research Group at the International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University.

Our laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying RNA homeostasis regulation. Integrating biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology, the group has established a comprehensive research framework that spans:

AI-Driven RNA Synthetic Biology and Therapeutic Development

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Our laboratory is developing next-generation RNA synthetic biology platforms empowered by artificial intelligence (AI). By integrating large-scale computational modeling, structural prediction, high-throughput screening, and biological computing strategies, we aim to design programmable functional RNAs and synthetic regulatory circuits capable of environmental sensing, logical computation, and dynamic cellular responses.

Contact

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We welcome inquiries from prospective students, postdocs, and collaborators. Please feel free to reach out to us via email or visit our lab at Shenzhen University.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Sisi Li

Mechanisms of RNA Post-Transcriptional Homeostasis

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing RNA post-transcriptional regulation and cellular homeostasis. We focus on the dynamic regulation of RNA processing, modification, degradation, and translation, and investigate how these processes coordinate to maintain cellular function under physiological and stress conditions.

RNA Homeostasis and Immunity

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We are particularly interested in the roles of RNA homeostasis in innate immunity and inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on host recognition and regulation of viral RNAs during infection. Our research focuses on interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), RNA sensing pathways, and the structural mechanisms underlying antiviral immune responses.

2022 Annual Group Outing

Tue, 31 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Attending the Shenzhen University Young Scientists Association.

A SYBR gold-based label-free in vitro dicing assay

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Making a 6mA demethylase

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Structure of plant RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE 2, an enzyme involved in small interfering RNA production

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

2021 Annual Group Outing

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Attending 2021 Academic Conference of Shenzhen Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Basic Medicine Committee of Shenzhen Medical Association.

Binding of guide piRNA triggers methylation of the unstructured N-terminal region of Aub leading to assembly of the piRNA amplification complex

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

CPSF30-L-mediated recognition of mRNA m6A modification controls alternative polyadenylation of nitrate signaling-related gene transcripts in Arabidopsis

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Mechanism of siRNA production by a plant Dicer-RNA complex in dicing-competent conformation

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Structural insights into proteolytic activation of the human Dispatched1 transporter for Hedgehog morphogen release

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Structural insights into the assembly and substrate selectivity of human SPT–ORMDL3 complex

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

TEM1 combinatorially binds to FLOWERING LOCUS T and recruits a Polycomb factor to repress the floral transition in Arabidopsis

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Drosophila YBX1 homolog YPS promotes ovarian germ line stem cell development by preferentially recognizing 5-methylcytosine RNAs

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Dual recognition of H3K4me3 and DNA by the ISWI component ARID5 regulates the floral transition in Arabidopsis

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Structure of Arabidopsis thaliana N6-methyl-AMP deaminase ADAL with bound GMP and IMP and implications for N6-methyl-AMP recognition and processing

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The Arabidopsis H3K27me3 demethylase JUMONJI 13 is a temperature and photoperiod dependent flowering repressor

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Mechanistic insights into plant SUVH family H3K9 methyltransferases and their binding to context-biased non-CG DNA methylation

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Structure of the Arabidopsis JMJ14-H3K4me3 complex provides insight into the substrate specificity of KDM5 subfamily histone demethylases

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Cutoff suppresses RNA polymerase II termination to ensure expression of piRNA precursors

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Drosha and Dicer: Slicers cut from the same cloth

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Mouse MORC3 is a GHKL ATPase that localizes to H3K4me3 marked chromatin

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Structural basis for the unique multivalent readout of unmodified H3 tail by Arabidopsis ORC1b BAH-PHD cassette

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Structure and function of the bacterial decapping enzyme NudC

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The effect of MicroRNA bantam on baculovirus AcMNPV infection in vitro and in vivo

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Aub and Ago3 are recruited to nuage through two mechanisms to form a ping-pong complex assembled by Krimper

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000

TUT7 controls the fate of precursor microRNAs by using three different uridylation mechanisms

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Mechanism of DNA methylation-directed histone methylation by KRYPTONITE

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Transgenerationally inherited piRNAs trigger piRNA biogenesis by changing the chromatin of piRNA clusters and inducing precursor processing

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Functional and structural characterization of DNMT2 from Spodoptera frugiperda

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Identification and characterization of the Spodoptera Su (var) 3-9 histone H3K9 trimethyltransferase and its effect in AcMNPV infection

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Sisi Li

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. Sisi Li is a Professor at the International Cancer Center, Medical School, Shenzhen University, where she serves as a doctoral supervisor. She received her PhD from Fudan University and completed her postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.