Bio-physical, Bio-analytical and Bio-inorganic chemistry

Prof. Li’s main interest is in the chemistry problems derived from life sciences. The main research approaches include Bio-physical (linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopies),Bio-analytical (electrochemical and optical sensing methods)and bio-inorganic(synthesis and characterization of bio-mimetic models for the active sites of metallo-enzymes). An important aspect of our research approach is to fabricate functional nano-structured materials with novel optical and electrochemical properties and to explore their applications in bio-physical and bio-analytical chemistry.

Representative Publications 

"Synergistic Neuroprotection by Bis(7)-tacrine via Concurrent Blockade of N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptors and Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase" Molecular Pharmacology, 71: 1258-1267 (2007).

"Dendritic Nanostructures of Silver: Facile Synthesis, Structural Characterizations, and Sensing  Applications" Langmuir 22, 4836-4842 (2006).

"Surface-enhanced hyper Raman and Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering from Molecules Adsorbed on Nanoparticles-on-Smooth-Electrode (NOSE) Substrate. Pyridine, Pyrazine and Benzene" J. Raman  Spectrosc. 36: 555-573 (2005).

"Polyelectrolyte Multilayer as Matrix for Electrochemical Deposition of Gold Clusters: Toward Super-Hydrophobic Surface" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126: 3064-3065 (2004).

- Bioinorganic, Biomimetic Catalysis,  Nanomaterials :

"Converting Cytochrome c into a Peroxidase-Like Metalloenzyme by Molecular Design" ChemBioChem  8: 607–609(2007).

"Synthesis, crystal structure and nuclease activities of copper(II) complexes with asymmetric tridentate ligands" J. Inorg. Biochem., 98, 423-429 (2004).

"Synthesis and Characterization of Aqua-bridged Dimetallic Complexes, M2(m-H2O)(-OAc)2(Im)4(OAc)2 (M = Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+) – Structural Models for the Active Sites  of Dimetallic Hydrolases" J. Inorg. Biochem. 92(2): 128-136 (2002).

"The Design of New Molecular Light Swithces for DNA" J. Biol. Inorg. Chem., 6(2), 143-150 (2001).