Self-introduction

Dr Yanyan Li is currently the assistant professor in the school of life science at Southern University of Science and Technology. Dr Li joined the laboratories at Jiangnan University, University of Maryland, Duke University and Harvard medical school as graduate and visiting scholar.  The focus of Dr Li’s research is to understand the molecular basis by which Gram-negative bacteria modify the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and how these alterations affect or circumvent normal host innate immune system responses. The LPS related research results were published in first or corresponding author manuscripts in the journals of Nature, Cell research, Nature Communications, PNAS, Cell discovery.  Three research papers were recommended by Faculty of 1000. Dr Li was funded by the natural science foundation of China and awarded with the Young investigator award from IEIIS (International endotoxin International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society).

Research Interests：

◆The focus of the laboratory is to understand the molecular basis by which Gram-negative bacteria modify the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), how these alterations affect or circumvent normal host innate immune system responses, and the structural mechanism of the LPS and lipids transportation. This study may represent a general paradigm for LPS structure to pathogenesis. Additionally, it may represent a novel pathway for new antibiotics and vaccine adjuvant development. 

Professional Experience：

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, 2022-NOW

Department of biology, Functional and Structural mechanism of bacteria toxins

WESTLAKE UNIVERSITY, RESEARCH PROFESSOR, 2019-2021

Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, Structural mechanism of lipids transporter

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS, 2016--2019

Department of Cell biology, Structural mechanism of lipopolysaccharide LPS transporters

JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, 2012-2016

State key lab of food science and technology, LPS vaccine adjuvant development 

Educational Background：

DUKE UNIVERSITY, PH.D., 2011-2012

Department of Biochemistry. Chris R.H. Raetz Lab, LPS modification enzyme biochemistry

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, PH.D., 2009-2011

Department of Microbial Pathogenesis. Robert K. Ernst Lab, Temperature regulated LPS remodeling, immunology and pathogenesis.

JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, PH.D., 2007-2009

State key lab of food science and technology, LPS structure biology

HEBEI AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY, B.S., 2003-2007

Biology engineering 

Honors & Awards：

◆ Dr Li was funded by the natural science foundation of China and awarded with the Young investigator award from IEIIS (International endotoxin International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society).

Selected Publication：

◆ ( * Corresponding author)

1. Sharma S, Zhou R, Wan L, Feng S, Song K, Xu C, Li Y*, Liao M*. Mechanism of LolCDE as a molecular extruder of bacterial triacylated lipoproteins. Nature communication, 2021, 12, 4697.

2. Chi X, Fan Q, Zhang Y, Liang K, Wan L, Zhou Q*, Li Y*. Structural mechanism of phospholipids translocation by MlaFEDB complex. Cell Research, 2020, 30(12):1127-1135.

3. Zhang Y, Fan Q, Chi X, Zhou Q*, Li Y*. Cryo-EM structures of Acinetobacter baumannii glycerophospholipid transporter. Cell Discovery, 2020, 6(1):86.

4. Thélot F, Orlando BJ, Li Y*, Liao M*. High-resolution views of lipopolysaccharide translocation driven by ABC transporters MsbA and LptB2FGC. Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2020; 63:26-33.

5. Li Y, Orlando B, Liao M. Structural basis of lipopolysaccharide extraction by the LptB2FGC complex. Nature, 2019, 567(7749): 486-490

6. Mi W, Li Y, Yoon SH, Ernst RK, Walz T, Liao M. Structural basis of MsbA-mediated lipopolysaccharide transport. Nature, 2017, 549(7671):233-237

7. Li Y, Powell DA, Shaffer SA, Rasko DA, Pelletier MR, Leszyk JD, Scott AJ, Masoudi A, Goodlett DR, Wang X, Raetz CR, Ernst RK*. LPS remodeling is an evolved survival strategy for bacteria. Proc Natl Acad SCI. 2012, 109(22):8716-8721

8. Xu D, Li Y, Yang F, Sun C, Pan J, Wang L, Chen Z, Fang S, Yao X, Hou W, Zhou C, Chen Y. Structure and transport mechanism of the human cholesterol transporter ABCG1. Cell Report, 2022, 38(4):110298

Zhou Y, Li D, Luo J, ChenA, Li X, Pan Z, Wan L, He L, Li D, Li Y, Dong M, Tao L*. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans and low-density lipoprotein receptor mediate the cellular entry of Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin. Cell Research, 2021, 31(8): 935-938

Other Info：（if any）

1. Xu Z, Liu Z, Soteyome T, Hua J, Zhang L*, Yuan L, Ye Y, Cai Z, Yang L, Chen L, Harro JM, Kjellerup BV, Liu J, Li Y*. Impact of pmrA on Cronobacter sakazakii planktonic and biofilm cells: A comprehensive transcriptomic study. Food Microbiology, 2021, 98: 103785.

2. Hua J, Jia X, Zhang L*, Li Y*. The Characterization of Two-Component System PmrA/PmrB in Cronobacter sakazakii. Front Microbiol. 2020; 11:903.

3. Jia X, Hua J, Liu L, Xu Z, Li Y*. Phenotypic characterization of pathogenic Cronobacter spp. strains. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2018, 109:313-318

4. Yun J, Wang X, Zhang L*, Li Y*. Effects of lipid acyltransferases on the pathogenesis of F. novicida. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2017, 109:313-318

5. Bao X, Yang L, Chen L, Li B, Li L, Li Y*, Xu Z*. Analysis on pathogenic and virulent characteristics of the Cronobacter sakazakii strain BAA-894 by whole genome sequencing and its demonstration in basic biology science. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2017, 109:280-286

6. Bao X, Yang L, Chen L, Li B, Li L, Li Y*, Xu Z*. Virulent and pathogenic features on the Cronobacter sakazakii polymyxin resistant pmr mutant strain s-3. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2017, 110:359-364

16. Bao X, Jia X, Chen L, Peters B, Lin C, Chen D, Li L, Li B, Li Y*, Xu Z*, Shirtliff M. Effect of polymyxin resistance (pmr) on biofilm formation of Cronobacter sakazakii. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2017, 106:16-19

17. Li Y*, Yoon SH, Wang X, Ernst RK, Goodlett DR*. Structural Derivation of lipid A from Cronobacter sakazakii using Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2016, 30(20): 2265-70

18. Liu L,Li Y*,WangX*,GuoW.Aphosphoethanolaminetransferasespecificforthe4'-phosphateresidue of Cronobacter sakazakii lipid A. J Appl Microbiol. 2016, 121(5):1444-1456

19. Li Y*, Yun J, Liu L, Li Y, Wang X. Identification of Two Genes Encoding for the Late Acyltransferases of Lipid A in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Curr Microbiol. 2016, 73(5), 732-738

20. Zhao X, Liu Q, Xiao K, Hu Y, Liu X, Li Y, Kong Q. Identification of the crp gene in avian Pasteurella multocida and evaluation of the effects of crp deletion on its phenotype, virulence and immunogenicity. BMC Microbiol. 2016, 16, 125

21. Chen C, Li Y, Hu J, Dong X, Wang X. Metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13869 for L-valine production. Metab Eng.2015, 29, 66-75

22. Liu Q, Li Y, Zhao X, Yang X, Liu Q, Kong Q. Construction of Escherichia coli Mutant with Decreased Endotoxic Activity by Modifying Lipid A Structure. Marine Drugs. 2015, 13(6):3388-406

23. HuJ, Li Y, Zhang H, Tan Y, Wang X. Construction of a novel expression system for Corynebacterium glutamicum. Plasmid. 2014, 75, 18-26

24. Li Y, Wang Z, Chen J, Ernst RK, Wang X*. Influence of lipid A acylation pattern on membrane permeability and innate immune stimulation. Marine Drugs. 2013,11(9):3197-3208.

25. Cai L+, Li Y+, Tao G, Zhang C, Guo W, Wang X*. Identification of Three Genes Encoding for the Late Acyltransferases of Lipid A in Cronobacter sakazakii. Marine. Drugs. 2013, 11(2), 377-386

26. Powell DA+, Li Y+, Ernst RK*. The LPS Thermostat: Turning up Francisella Pathogenesis. Virulence. 2012, 3(7): 6-8 (+Co-first author)

27. Yoon S H, Huang Y, Edgar JS, Ting Y S, Heron, S R, Kao Y, Li Y, Masselon C D, Ernst R K, Goodlett D R*. Surface Acoustic Wave Nebulization Facilitating Lipid Mass Spectrometric Analysis. Anal Chem. 2012, 84(15):6530-6537

28. Li Y, Wang X, Ernst R K*. A rapid on-step method for the characterization of membrane lipid remodeling in Francisella using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2011, 25, 2641-2648

29. Li Y, Wu S, Wang L, Li Y, Shi F, Wang X*. Differentiation of bacteria using fatty acid profiles from gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Sci Food Agric. 2010, 90(8):1380-3

30. Wang X*, Guan Z, Li Y, Raetz CRH. Application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to characterize glycerophospholipids in Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida. Int J Mass Spectrom. 2010, 293:45-50.