BSBE Research Seminar | Chemical Biology and Molecular Imaging of Collagen Hybridization
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ABSTRACT
Collagen provides vital mechanical support and a biochemical environment for nearly all human tissues. However, its signature triple-helical structure can be disrupted or denatured in diseases such as fibrosis, cancer, and arthritis. To detect these molecular changes, we developed Collagen Hybridization—a concept using synthetic peptides that selectively bind to unfolded collagen chains to form a hybrid triple helix without affecting intact collagen.
Our research focuses on redefining and re-engineering collagen to address organ fibrosis and musculoskeletal disorders. We explore how pathological structural changes occur and how to engineer nature-inspired collagen helices for enhanced diagnosis and treatment. This presentation outlines the concept of collagen hybridization, discusses our chemical expansion of triple-helix folding rules, and highlights our recent biomedical advancements and clinical efforts in leveraging damaged collagen as a target for diagnosing and combating multiple diseases.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Yang Li is a Principal Investigator at Sun Yat-sen University. He earned his B.S. from Nanjing University and his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (both in Chemistry), later serving as a junior faculty member of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah. As the pioneer of the “Collagen Hybridization” technology, his work has empowered hundreds of biomedical research teams globally. He founded 3Helix Inc. in the U.S. to translate this technology, leading the startup to venture investment. His research in collagen chemical biology and molecular imaging is published in journals including Science Advances, Nature Communications, JACS, and PNAS. He currently leads multiple National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects aimed at the clinical translation of collagen-targeted diagnostics and therapeutics.