Education
- Bachelor's degree in 2004 from the School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China
- Ph.D. in 2013 from the University of Göttingen/Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany, specializing in liquid NMR
Postdoctoral Experience
- 2013-2016 at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Germany, focusing on solid-state NMR
- 2016-2019 at the Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Netherlands, focusing on solid-state NMR
- 2016-2019 Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research VENI grant
Research Focus
Utilizing various biophysical methods, primarily solid-state NMR, to study the structure and function of protein polymers and protein machines. Typical protein polymers include structural fibers and cytoskeletons under natural conditions, amyloid fibers under pathological conditions, and the phase separation and transition systems of biomacromolecules that have gained attention recently. Solid-state NMR is the optimal method for studying the structure of these protein polymers. Our research holds significant importance in both fundamental and applied aspects: expanding existing knowledge of protein structures and enhancing understanding of various diseases.
Work Content
- Preparation and purification of milligram quantities of stable isotope-labeled proteins and nucleic acids
- Investigating interactions between proteins and between proteins and nucleic acids in vitro using various biophysical methods
- Using solid-state NMR rotors with different spinning speeds, including the smallest 0.7mm rotor that can reach 111kHz, for magic angle spinning
- Obtaining high-resolution structural details and interaction information of these molecules through NMR spectroscopy
Representative Publications
1. Xiang SQ, le Paige UB, Horn V, Houben K, Baldus M, van Ingen H. (2018) Site-Specific Studies of Nucleosome Interactions by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Edit 57(17): 4571-4575
2. Xiang SQ, Kulminskaya N, Habenstein B, Biernat J, Tepper K, Giller K, Lange A, Becker S, Mandelkow E, Linser R. (2017) A two-component adhesive: Tau fibrils arise from a combination of well-defined contacts with conformationally flexible interactions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139(7), 2639-2646
3. Xiang SQ, Narayanan RL, Becker S, & Zweckstetter M (2013) N-H Spin-Spin Couplings: Probing Hydrogen Bonds in Proteins. Angew Chem Int Edit 52(12): 3525-3528
4. Xiang SQ, Biernat J, Mandelkow E, Becker S, Linser R. (2016) Backbone assignment for minimal protein amounts of low structural homogeneity in the absence of deuteration. Chem. Commun. 52: 4002-4005
5. Xiang SQ, Grohe K, Rovo P, Vasa S, Giller K, Becker S, Linser R. (2015) Sequential backbone assignment through direct amide-to-amide correlation experiments. J. Biomol. NMR 62: 303-11
6. Xiang S, Chevelkov V, Becker S, Lange A. (2014) Towards automatic protein backbone assignment based on proton-detected 4D solid-state NMR data. J. Biomol. NMR 60: 85-90
Recruitment
Undergraduates interested in related fields are welcome to intern or pursue graduate studies in the lab. We sincerely invite postdoctoral researchers with a background in structural biology, molecular biophysics, or synthetic biology to join us.
Email: cqxiang@ustc.edu.cn