Email

xin.li2@bcm.edu

Positions

Assistant Professor

Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas United States

Associate member

Baylor College of Medicine
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Houston, Texas United States

Addresses

Baylor College of Medicine (Office)

1 Baylor Plaza
Alkek building, N510
Houston, TX 77030
United States

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine

04/2023 - Houston, Texas United States

Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Houston

09/2019 - Houston, Texas United States

Postdoctoral Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

09/2017 - Amarillo, Texas United States

PhD from Shandong University

06/2016 - Jinan, China

Professional Interests

• Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Professional Statement

I am interested in the discovery and development of small-molecule inhibitors that selectively target biologically important proteins to dissect fundamental biological processes (chemical biology) and develop novel therapeutics (drug discovery).

I have received comprehensive academic training in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. My training encompasses rational and computer-aided drug design, organic synthesis, and studies of drug evaluation and mechanisms of action. I have experience with a wide range of techniques, including recombinant protein expression and purification, biochemical assays (e.g., UV/fluorescence-based assays, AlphaScreen, ITC, and BLI), cellular assays, gene expression analysis, and in vivo studies.

I have over 10 years of wet-lab research experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, with a track record of discovering and developing multiple classes of protein inhibitors and degraders in anti-infective and anticancer research. I have published approximately 40 peer-reviewed articles in journals including Journal of Hematology & Oncology, Theranostics, and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

These academic training and research experiences have provided me with a strong background in the discovery and development of novel chemical probes or drug leads, which could be used for the fundamental biology study or for the further drug development.

Websites

Selected Publications

• Xin Li, Yuan Yao, Fangrui Wu, Yongcheng Song "A proteolysis-targeting chimera molecule selectively degrades ENL and inhibits malignant gene expression and tumor growth." J Hematol Oncol. 2022 Apr 8;2022(15):41. Pubmed PMID: 35395864
• Md Ashraf-Uz-Zaman #, Xin Li #, Yuan Yao #, Chandra Bhushan Mishra, Bala Krishna Moku, and Yongcheng Song "Quinazolinone Compounds Have Potent Antiviral Activity against Zika and Dengue Virus." J Med Chem. 2023 Jul 28; Pubmed PMID: 37506506
• Xin Li, Yongcheng Song "Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) for targeted protein degradation and cancer therapy." J Hematol Oncol. 2020 May 13;13:50. Pubmed PMID: 32404196
• Xin Li, Yongcheng Song "Structure, function and inhibition of critical protein–protein interactions involving mixed lineage leukemia 1 and its fusion oncoproteins." J Hematol Oncol. 2021 Apr 6;14(1):56. Pubmed PMID: 33823889

Projects

Medicinal Chemistry and Anticancer Drug Discovery

Medicinal Chemistry and Antiviral Drug Discovery

Funding

SynthX/Duncan Cancer Center Seed Award

Grant funding from SynthX Center and the Duncan Cancer Center

Skills

Rational and Computer-Aided Drug Design

Docking, Molecular Modeling, Virtual Screening

Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry

Mechanism of Action Studies

Drug Characterization In Vitro and In Vivo