Download Attachment 3 Speakers（English version）

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Eric Kool
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University
http://web.stanford.edu/group/kool/kool.htm
Kool's research interests lie in the interdisciplinary fields of organic chemistry, chemical biology, and
biophysics. His work is aimed at gaining basic understanding of interactions and mechanisms involving
nucleic acids, and applying this understanding to the design of new functionally useful molecules. Among
his most important contributions include the development of DNA base mimics called "nonpolar
nucleoside isosteres"; with these, his laboratory showed that Watson and Crick's hydrogen bonds in DNA
were not needed for replication of base pairs. In biotechnology, Kool was one of the inventors of "rolling
circle amplification" (RCA) and "rolling circle transcription" (RCT), which are isothermal DNA/RNA
amplification methods widely used in the literature. Also important were Kool's early and ongoing
developments in DNA-templated chemistry, a field that is now practiced in many labs worldwide; Kool
was the first to demonstrate that such chemistry can be used in living cells for imaging RNAs. More
recently his laboratory achieved important milestones in biomimetic chemistry as well: the first humandesigned DNA bases that function in a living cell, the first new genetic double helix (called "xDNA") in
which all base pairs were designed, and the first use of unnatural genetic sets to encode a phenotype in a
living organism
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Hiro Asanuma
Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Nagoya University
http://www.nubio.nagoya-u.ac.jp/seigyo1/research-e.html
The focus in the Asanuma group is on bioinspired conjugates for chemical biology. The group is involved
in the design and creation of new supramolecules that further exceed natural materials by learning how
natural molecules function in life. They are now developing new tools for future biotechnology, nucleic
acid drugs for next generation, and high-performance nano-materials by making full use of nucleic acid
(DNA, RNA) and peptide. They also analyze their functions on the bases of structural biology and physical
chemistry. Specific large scope projects include the areas of Photoresponsive oligonucleotide, highly
sensitive fluorescent probe that can detect oligonucleotide sequence-specifically, and nano-cluster of
organic functional molecules.
Robert Campbell
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta
http://campbellweb.chem.ualberta.ca/
The specific focus of the Campbell group is on the use of Protein Engineering for development of
genetically encoded fluorescent labels and reporters for imaging and manipulation of biochemistry in
living cells. Fluorescent proteins (FPs), such as the Aequorea jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP), are
nearly ideal fluorescent labels because they can be expressed in a variety of different organisms and
fused to many different proteins of interest with little or no effect on either proteins function. Reporters
based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two engineered variants of GFP, a cyan
FP (CFP) and a yellow FP (YFP), have found great utility in cell biology. An ideal complement to the
numerous reporters of this type is a spectrally distinct red-shifted FRET pair that allows simultaneous
imaging of two reporters to determine causal relationships between biochemical processes. Efforts to
develop such a FRET pair, using both red-shifted FPs and in situ labeling strategies, is of major focus of
the research group. An alternative reporter design of the group involves engineered FP variants in which
binding of a small molecule directly modulates the fluorescence spectrum, carried out using Protein
Engineering to create de novo sensors that can be tailored to detect any small molecule of interest.
Marie-Paule Teulade Fichou
Laboratory of Chemistry, Institut Curie
http://umr176.curie.fr/en/profile/marie-paule-teulade-fichou-00204
The current focus of the Fichou group is on the design of new nucleic acids targeted drugs
for anticancer research and for elucidating DNA-related molecular basis of cancer. The group
is involved in the design of synthetic probes for structural recognition and fluorescent sensing
of unusual DNA and RNA structures (quadruplexes, hairpins, mismatches). The first objective
is to interfere with the binding and the processing of the related protein machineries
(helicases, repair proteins, telomere capping proteins). In particular the conception of
quadruplex ligands and telomerase inhibitors has constituted a central research topic in the
last years. In fine the objective is to provide new nucleic acid targeted drugs for anticancer
research and for elucidating DNA-related molecular basis of cancer. More recently new
research for conception of new fluorescent probes for biphotonic microscopy has been
initiated.
Anita Jones
School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh
http://www.chem.ed.ac.uk/staff/academic-staff/professor-anita-c-jones
The research of the Jones group is concerned with the study of molecular photophysics and
photochemistry and the development and application of fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging. In
particular, application of fluorescence methods to biomolecular systems is of interest. Current projects in
the group include, a) probing DNA conformation and DNA-enzyme interactions, using time-resolved
fluorescence spectroscopy, b) quantitative spatial mapping of mixing, temperature, pH and other
measurands in microfluidic (lab-on-a-chip) systems, using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
(FLIM), c) use of Ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of surface-bound protein, e.g. protein
contamination on surgical instruments, d) development of advanced photonics for the study of biological
systems, and e) investigation of the photoisomerisation of azo dyes, using NMR spectroscopy with in situ
laser irradiation.
Michal Lin
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University
http://web.stanford.edu/~mzlin/
The Lin lab applies biochemical and engineering principles to the development of protein-based tools for
imaging and control of biochemical processes. Topics of investigation include fluorescent proteins
structure and biophysics, fluorescent protein-based biosensors, neuronal activity sensors,
spatiotemporal analysis of protein translation pathways, chemical control of protein translation, and
light-responsive proteins.
Nathan Luedtke
Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich
http://bioorganic-chemistry.com/research.html
The Leudtke group works in the area of DNA chemical biology developing probes for characterizing
the structure, function, and dynamics of nucleic acids in vivo. Work in the lab relies heavily upon
the rational design and synthesis of new organic compounds and their metal-containing complexes.
In some cases, novel synthetic methodologies are needed to realize target molecules.
Photophysical and biophysical studies are used to characterize new fluorophores and their ability to
report alternatively folded nucleic acids structures. The group also uses cell biology, fluorescence
microscopy and flow cytometry as means to evaluate the efficacy and functional novelty of the
developed compounds in cell cultures and in whole animals. A key aim of the research group has
been search for G-quadruplexes in human cells, but the new tools developed in the laboratory are
also readily utilized in mainstream chemical genomics analysis.
Ben Zhong Tang
Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
http://ihome.ust.hk/~tangbenz/
The Tang research group has been working on the development of new polymerization routes from alkyne
reactions, and has succeeded in the syntheses of a number of new functional conjugated polymers from
acetylenic monomers. The group also works in the area of aggregation-induced emission (AIE). In 2001, the
group discovered an uncommon luminogen system, in which aggregation worked constructively, rather than
destructively as in the conventional systems. They found that a series of silole derivatives were non-emissive in
dilute solutions but became highly luminescent when their molecules were aggregated in concentrated solutions
or cast into solid films. Since the light emission was induced by aggregate formation, they termed the process
"aggregation-induced emission" (AIE). They have developed an alternative scheme based on AIE luminogens
for selective detection and quantitative assay of CO2 gas.
He Tian
East China University of Science and Technology
http://webmanage.ecust.edu.cn/s/230/t/262/a/57190/info.jspy
The research interests of the Tian group include the syntheses of novel functional
organic dyes and polymers as well as development of interdisciplinary materials
science that determines the electronic and optical properties of materials.
Yitzhak Tor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego
http://torgroup.ucsd.edu/
The Tor Group is focused on three main areas of research: a) understanding the structure of nucleic acids
and developing novel binders targeting specific structures found in bacteria and viruses; b) discovering
new fluorescent nucleotides to be used as a probe for understanding nucleic acid structure and function;
and c) examining the delivery properties and cellular uptake of guanidinoglycosides.
Marcus Wilhelmsson
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology
https://www.chalmers.se/en/staff/Pages/marcus-wilhelmsson.aspx
The Wilhelmsson group develops molecules that can be used to replace the natural DNA/RNA building
blocks, the bases, and unlike the bases, which are transparent, has properties that make them fluorescent
(emit light) when they are hit by light of the correct colour (300-500 nm). These so called fluorescent
base analogues have molecular properties that are optimal for insertion into the natural DNA/RNA
structure. They can therefore be used to, on a very detailed level, understand more about essential
processes in cells like replication, during cell division, and transcription, during protein synthesis.
Fundamental knowledge thereof is vital in order to comprehend cellular processes and errors that could
occur and cause several common diseases. One of the goals is to design and construct new fluorescent
base analogues that can replace all the natural bases. Another goal is to use the novel fluorescent base
analogues, to make them available for other researchers as well as to develop
biochemical/biophysical/biological methods where the probes can be used.
Dan Yang
Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University
https://dylab.wordpress.com/
Research interests of the Yang group include synthetic organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and
chemical biology. The group developed a mild and general method for epoxidation of olefins using
dioxiranes generated in situ from ketones and Oxone. They also developed chiral ketone catalysts for
highly enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized transolefins and trisubstituted olefins through
steric and electronic tuning. The group discovered a novel method for selective oxidation of unactivated
C-H bonds at d sites of ketones, and found that activated ketones and aldehydes could catalyze the
decomposition of peroxynitrite (a potent oxidant generated in cells from nitric oxide and superoxide ion).
The current focus is to develop highly specific and sensitive fluorescent probes for the detection of
peroxynitrite and other reactive oxygen species in cells. A second area of research involves aminoxy
acids as building blocks of foldamers. The group discovered a new series of peptidomimetics based on
aminoxy acids (a class of unnatural amino acids). The group discovered a series of small molecules that
self-assemble into ion channels for selective transport of cations or anions. The current focus is to
explore the biomedical applications of those synthetic ion channels (such as chloride channels and
potassium channels). Finally, the group is probing the interactions of triptolide with its cellular
receptors, which will lead to better understanding of cell growth regulation and immune responses as
well as discovery of new anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive drugs.