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  3. Hongbin Li

Hongbin Li

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Featured Publications

Lv, S. ; Dudek, D. M. ; Cao, Y. ; Balamurali, M. M. ; Gosline, J. ; Li, H. Designed Biomaterials To Mimic The Mechanical Properties Of Muscles. Nature (London, United Kingdom) 2010, 465, 69 - 73.
He, C. ; Genchev, G. Z. ; Lu, H. ; Li, H. Mechanically Untying A Protein Slipknot: Multiple Pathways Revealed By Force Spectroscopy And Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2012, 134, 10428-10435.
Zheng, P. ; Takayama, S. -ichiJ. ; A. Mauk, G. ; Li, H. Hydrogen Bond Strength Modulates The Mechanical Strength Of Ferric-Thiolate Bonds In Rubredoxin. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2012, 134, 4124-4131.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Engineered Elastomeric Proteins With Dual Elasticity Can Be Controlled By A Molecular Regulator. Nature Nanotechnology 2008, 3, 512-516.
Cao, Y. ; Yoo, T. ; Li, H. B. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals Engineered Metal Chelation Is A General Approach To Enhance Mechanical Stability Of Proteins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2008, 105, 11152-11157.

Research and Teaching Interests

Single molecule biophysical chemistry, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, biological chemistry

Graduate student positions available

 

Our research program is in the area of single molecule biophysical chemistry. We are interested in the mechanical properties and conformational dynamics of elastic proteins. Elastic proteins are important structural and functional components in living cells. They serve as molecular springs in tissues to establish elastic connections and provide mechanical strength, elasticity, and extensibility. They are not only important for their biological functions in various biological processes, but also important building blocks for bottom-up construction of smart materials and mechanical devices on the nanoscale.

Our main research tool is single molecule atomic force microscopy. The AFM is a powerful technique allowing us to directly manipulate proteins one molecule at a time. We use the AFM to measure the mechanical properties of proteins, and monitor the folding/unfolding trajectories of single protein in real time. Our long term goal is to understand the mechanical properties of proteins at the single molecule level and use protein engineering techniques to design proteins with tailored mechanical properties to be used as functional and structural components for smart materials and nanomechanical devices.

 

 

Research directions

1. Protein Mechanics and Engineering: combining protein engineering with single molecule AFM and computation, we rationally design and engineer proteins with tailored mechanical properties.

Representative publications: 

J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2012, 134, 4124-4131.
Acc. Chem. Res. 2010, 43, 1331-1341.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131,14050-14056.
Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 2008, 105, 11152-11157.
Nature Nanotechnology, 2008, 3, 512-516.

 

2. Single Protein Folding/Unfolding Dynamics: we use single molecule force spectroscopy techniques to investigate the folding/unfolding dynamics and mechanism of proteins at the single molecule level.

Representative publications:

Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 2013, 110, 18156-18161.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 7992-8000.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2012, 103, 807-816.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 10428-10435.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 13347-13354.
Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 2008, 105, 1885-1890.

 

3. Protein-based Biomaterials: using the knowledge from protein mechanics studies, we rationally design protein-based biomaterials with tailored mechanical properties for various biomedical applications. We rationally tailor macroscopic mechanical properties of these biomaterials by programming the molecular sequence, and thus nanomechanical properties, of protein building blocks at the single-molecule level.

Representative publications: 

Nature 2010, 465, 69 – 73.
Nature Communications 2013, 4.
Acta Biomaterialia 2013, 9, 6481-6491.
Langmuir 2012, 28, 2269-2274
Chem. Commun. 2008, 4144-4146.

 

4. Polymer physical chemistry using single molecule AFM: we use single molecule AFM to investigate the conformational change of polymers at the singel molecule level. 

5. AFM imaing of biological materials

 

 

Contact

Real name: 
Hongbin Li
Email: 
Office Room Number(s): 
Chemistry A247
Office Phone Number: 
604-822-9669
Fax Number: 
604-822-2847

Curriculum Vitae

Professional
  • 2013-present    Professor and Canada Research Chair (University of British Columbia)
  • 2009-2013         Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair (University of British Columbia)
  • 2004-2009         Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair(University of British Columbia)
  • 2002-2004         Associate Research Scientist (Columbia University, USA)
Education
  • 1999-2002     Research Fellow (Mayo Medical Center, USA, Advisor: Prof. Julio M. Fernandez)
  • 1993-1998     Ph.D. (Polymer Chemistry and Physics at Jilin University, China, Advisors: Profs. Jiacong Shen, Xi Zhang and Hermann E. Gaub)
  • 1996-1997     Visiting PhD student (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany, Advisor: Prof. Hermann E. Gaub)
  • ​1989-1993     B.Sc (Polymer Engineering, Tianjin University, China)
Awards and Honors
  • 2020   AAAS Fellow (the American Association for the Advancement of Science)
  • 2012   Changjiang Guest Chair Professorship (Jilin University, China)
  • 2011   JILA Visiting Fellowship (JILA and University of Colorado, Boulder)
  • 2011   Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (Technical University of Munich, Germany)
  • 2010   JILA Distinguished Short-term Visiting Fellow (JILA and University of Colorado, Boulder)
  • 2010   Charles McDowell Award for Research (UBC)
  • 2006   Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Career Investigator Award
  • 2005   Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies Early Career Award (UBC)

Publications

2022

Gao, X. ; Zhai, C. ; Lin, Z. ; Chen, Y. ; Li, H. ; Hu, C. Simulation And Experiment Of The Trapping Trajectory For Janus Particles In Linearly Polarized Optical Traps. MICROMACHINES 2022, 13, 608.
Bian, Q. ; Fu, L. ; Li, H. Engineering Shape Memory And Morphing Protein Hydrogels Based On Protein Unfolding And Folding. Nature Communications 2022, 13, 137.
Wang, H. ; Chen, G. ; Li, H. Templated Folding Of The Rtx Domain Of The Bacterial Toxin Adenylate Cyclase Revealed By Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Nature Communications 2022, 13, 2784.

2021

Zuo, J. ; Zhan, D. ; Xia, J. ; Li, H. Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Studies Of Missense Titin Mutations That Are Likely Causing Cardiomyopathy. LANGMUIR 2021, 37, 12128-12137.
Li, J. ; Chen, G. ; Guo, Y. ; Wang, H. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals The Context Dependent Folding Pathway Of The C-Terminal Fragment Of Top7. CHEMICAL SCIENCE 2021, 12, 2876-2884.
Duan, T. ; Bian, Q. ; Li, H. Light-Responsive Dynamic Protein Hydrogels Based On Lovtrap. LANGMUIR 2021, 37, 10214-10222.
Li, H. There Is Plenty Of Room In The Folded Globular Proteins: Tandem Modular Elastomeric Proteins Offer New Opportunities In Engineering Protein-Based Biomaterials. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021, 1, 2100028.
Zhai, C. ; Hu, C. ; Li, S. ; Ma, Y. ; Zhang, Y. ; Guo, T. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. The Formation Principle Of Micro-Droplets Induced By Using Optical Tweezers. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021, 3, 279-286.
Wang, R. ; Liu, M. ; Wang, H. ; Xia, J. ; Li, H. Gb Tags: Small Covalent Peptide Tags Based On Protein Fragment Reconstitution. BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY 2021, 32, 1926-1934.

2020

Wang, H. ; Li, H. Mechanically Tightening, Untying And Retying A Protein Trefoil Knot By Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. CHEMICAL SCIENCE 2020, 11, 12512-12521.
Li, J. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals That A Two-Coordinate Ferric Site Is Critical For The Folding Of Holo-Rubredoxin. NANOSCALE 2020, 12, 22564-22573.
Fu, L. ; Li, H. Toward Quantitative Prediction Of The Mechanical Properties Of Tandem Modular Elastomeric Protein-Based Hydrogels. MACROMOLECULES 2020, 53, 4704-4710.
Ma, G. ; Hu, C. ; Li, S. ; Gao, X. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. Axial Displacement Calibration And Tracking Of Optically Trapped Beads. OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING 2020, 134, 106285.
Fu, L. ; Li, H. Toward Quantitative Prediction Of The Mechanical Properties Of Tandem Modular Elastomeric Protein-Based Hydrogels. MACROMOLECULES 2020, 53, 4704-4710.
Duan, T. ; Li, H. In Situ Phase Transition Of Elastin-Like Polypeptide Chains Regulates Thermoresponsive Properties Of Elastomeric Protein-Based Hydrogels. BIOMACROMOLECULES 2020, 21, 2258-2267.
Gao, X. ; Wang, Y. ; He, X. ; Xu, M. ; Zhu, J. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. ; Hu, C. Angular Trapping Of Spherical Janus Particles. SMALL METHODS 2020, 4, 2000565.
Wang, Y. ; Wang, H. ; Tran, M. V. ; W. Algar, R. ; Li, H. Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Based Label-Free Tension Sensors For Monitoring Integrin Tension. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2020, 56, 5556-5559.
Teixeira, M. H. ; Curtolo, F. ; Camilo, S. R. G. ; Field, M. J. ; Zheng, P. ; Li, H. ; Arantes, G. M. Modeling The Hydrolysis Of Iron-Sulfur Clusters. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING 2020, 60, 653-660.
Mehlich, A. ; Fang, J. ; Pelz, B. ; Li, H. ; Stigler, J. Slow Transition Path Times Reveal A Complex Folding Barrier In A Designed Protein. FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY 2020, 8, 587824.

2019

Xiao, A. ; Li, H. Direct Monitoring Of Equilibrium Protein Folding-Unfolding By Atomic Force Microscopy: Pushing The Limit. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2019, 55, 12920-12923.
Li, S. ; Hu, C. ; Gao, X. ; Ma, G. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. Optical Tweezers Assisted Controllable Formation And Precise Manipulation Of Microdroplet. APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS 2019, 12, 117001.
Wang, R. ; Li, J. ; Li, X. ; Guo, J. ; Liu, J. ; Li, H. Engineering Protein Polymers Of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Via Supramolecular Polymerization: Towards Mimicking The Giant Muscle Protein Titin. CHEMICAL SCIENCE 2019, 10, 9277-9284.
Sun, W. ; Duan, T. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. An Injectable Self-Healing Protein Hydrogel With Multiple Dissipation Modes And Tunable Dynamic Response. BIOMACROMOLECULES 2019, 20, 4199-4207.
Wang, R. ; Fu, L. ; Liu, J. ; Li, H. Decorating Protein Hydrogels Reversibly Enables Dynamic Presentation And Release Of Functional Protein Ligands On Protein Hydrogels. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2019, 55, 12703-12706.
Lv, S. ; Duan, T. ; Li, H. Engineering Protein-Clay Nanosheets Composite Hydrogels With Designed Arginine-Rich Proteins. LANGMUIR 2019, 35, 7255-7260.
Fu, L. ; Haage, A. ; Kong, N. ; Tanentzapf, G. ; Li, H. Dynamic Protein Hydrogels With Reversibly Tunable Stiffness Regulate Human Lung Fibroblast Spreading Reversibly. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2019, 55, 5235-5238.
He, C. ; Li, S. ; Gao, X. ; Xiao, A. ; Hu, C. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. Direct Observation Of The Fast And Robust Folding Of A Slipknotted Protein By Optical Tweezers. NANOSCALE 2019, 11, 3945-3951.
Wang, H. ; Gao, X. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, C. ; Li, H. Mechanical Unfolding And Folding Of A Complex Slipknot Protein Probed By Using Optical Tweezers. BIOCHEMISTRY 2019, 58, 4751-4760.
Xia, J. ; Zuo, J. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals That The Oxidation State Of Cobalt Ions Plays An Important Role In Enhancing The Mechanical Stability Of Proteins. NANOSCALE 2019, 11, 19791-19796.
Li, S. ; Hu, C. ; Gao, X. ; Ma, G. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. Optical Tweezers Assisted Controllable Formation And Precise Manipulation Of Microdroplet. APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS 2019, 12, 117001.
Wang, H. ; Gao, X. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals The Mechanical Design Governing The Efficient Translocation Of The Bacterial Toxin Protein Rtx. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2019, 141, 20498-20506.
Wang, H. ; Gao, X. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, C. ; Li, H. Mechanical Unfolding And Folding Of A Complex Slipknot Protein Probed By Using Optical Tweezers. BIOCHEMISTRY 2019, 58, 4751-4760.

2018

Li, J. ; Li, H. Mechanical Unfolding Pathway Of The High-Potential Iron-Sulfur Protein Revealed By Single-Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy: Toward A General Unfolding Mechanism For Iron-Sulfur Proteins. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B 2018, 122, 9340-9349.
Nassar, R. ; Wong, E. ; Bui, J. M. ; Yip, C. K. ; Li, H. ; Gsponer, J. ; Lamour, G. Mechanical Anisotropy In Gnnqqny Amyloid Crystals. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2018, 9, 4901-4909.
Li, H. ; Zheng, P. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy: A New Tool For Bioinorganic Chemistry. CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2018, 43, 58-67.
Hu, C. ; Su, C. ; Yun, Z. ; Wang, S. ; He, C. ; Gao, X. ; Li, S. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. Real-Time Identification Of The Singleness Of A Trapped Bead In Optical Tweezers. APPLIED OPTICS 2018, 57, 1241-1246.

2017

Lyu, S. ; Fang, J. ; Duan, T. ; Fu, L. ; Liu, J. ; Li, H. Optically Controlled Reversible Protein Hydrogels Based On Photoswitchable Fluorescent Protein Dronpa. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2017, 53, 13375-13378.
Gao, X. ; Lyu, S. ; Li, H. Decorating A Blank Slate Protein Hydrogel: A General And Robust Approach For Functionalizing Protein Hydrogels. BIOMACROMOLECULES 2017, 18, 3726-3732.
Wang, R. ; Qiao, S. ; Zhao, L. ; Hou, C. ; Li, X. ; Liu, Y. ; Luo, Q. ; Xu, J. ; Li, H. ; Liu, J. Dynamic Protein Self-Assembly Driven By Host-Guest Chemistry And The Folding-Unfolding Feature Of A Mutually Exclusive Protein. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2017, 53, 10532-10535.
Lei, H. ; He, C. ; Hu, C. ; Li, J. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Trajectories Of A Single Protein And Its Polyproteins Are Equivalent: A Direct Experimental Validation Based On A Small Protein Nug2. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2017, 56, 6117-6121.
Hardens, J. L. ; Li, H. Editorial: Special Issue On Designer Protein Biomaterials. ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2017, 3, 658-660.
Kong, N. ; Fu, L. ; Peng, Q. ; Li, H. Metal Chelation Dynamically Regulates The Mechanical Properties Of Engineered Protein Hydrogels. ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2017, 3, 742-749.
Lamour, G. ; Nassar, R. ; Chan, P. H. W. ; Bozkurt, G. ; Li, J. ; Bui, J. M. ; Yip, C. K. ; Mayor, T. ; Li, H. ; Wu, H. ; Gsponer, J. A. Mapping The Broad Structural And Mechanical Properties Of Amyloid Fibrils. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2017, 112, 584-594.
Lei, H. ; Guo, Y. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, C. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. Reversible Unfolding And Folding Of The Metalloprotein Ferredoxin Revealed By Single-Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2017, 139, 1538-1544.
He, C. ; Li, H. Staphylokinase Displays Surprisingly Low Mechanical Stability. LANGMUIR 2017, 33, 1077-1083.
Li, H. ; Walker, G. C. Twist And Shout: Single-Molecule Mechanochemistry. ACS NANO 2017, 11, 28-30.

2016

Si, C. ; Li, J. ; Luo, Q. ; Hou, C. ; Pan, T. ; Li, H. ; Liu, J. An Ion Signal Responsive Dynamic Protein Nano-Spring Constructed By High Ordered Host-Guest Recognition. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS 2016, 52, 2924-2927.
Feng, J. ; Lamour, G. ; Xue, R. ; Mirvakliki, M. Negar; Hatzikiriakos, S. G. ; Xu, J. ; Li, H. ; Wang, S. ; Lu, X. Chemical, Physical And Morphological Properties Of Bacterial Biofilms Affect Survival Of Encased Campylobacter Jejuni F38011 Under Aerobic Stress. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY 2016, 238, 172-182.
Gao, X. ; Fang, J. ; Xue, B. ; Fu, L. ; Li, H. Engineering Protein Hydrogels Using Spycatcher-Spytag Chemistry. BIOMACROMOLECULES 2016, 17, 2812-2819.
Li, H. ; Kong, N. ; Laver, B. ; Liu, J. Hydrogels Constructed From Engineered Proteins. SMALL 2016, 12, 973-987.
Feng, J. ; Lamour, G. ; Xue, R. ; Mirvakliki, M. Negar; Hatzikiriakos, S. G. ; Xu, J. ; Li, H. ; Wang, S. ; Lu, X. Chemical, Physical And Morphological Properties Of Bacterial Biofilms Affect Survival Of Encased Campylobacter Jejuni F38011 Under Aerobic Stress. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY 2016, 238, 172-182.

2015

Kong, N. ; Li, H. Protein Fragment Reconstitution As A Driving Force For Self-Assembling Reversible Protein Hydrogels. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2015, 25, 5593-5601.
Panwar, P. ; Lamour, G. ; Mackenzie, N. C. W. ; Yang, H. ; Ko, F. ; Li, H. ; Broemme, D. Changes In Structural-Mechanical Properties And Degradability Of Collagen During Aging-Associated Modifications. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 2015, 290, 23291-23306.
He, C. ; Hu, C. ; Hu, X. ; Hu, X. ; Xiao, A. ; Perkins, T. T. ; Li, H. Direct Observation Of The Reversible Two-State Unfolding And Refolding Of An Alpha/beta Protein By Single-Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2015, 54, 9921-9925.
Zheng, P. ; Arantes, G. M. ; Field, M. J. ; Li, H. Force-Induced Chemical Reactions On The Metal Centre In A Single Metalloprotein Molecule. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS 2015, 6, 7569.
Hu, C. ; An, R. ; Zhang, C. ; Lei, H. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. Design Of A High-Quality Optical Conjugate Structure In Optical Tweezers. APPLIED OPTICS 2015, 54, 1410-1413.
Lei, H. ; Hu, X. ; Zhu, P. ; Chang, X. ; Zeng, Y. ; Hu, C. ; Li, H. ; Hu, X. Nano-Level Position Resolution For Particle Tracking In Digital In-Line Holographic Microscopy. Journal of Microscopy 2015, 260, 106.

2014

Zheng, P. ; Wang, Y. ; Li, H. Reversible Unfolding-Refolding Of Rubredoxin: A Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Study. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2014, 53, 14060-14063.
Kong, N. ; Peng, Q. ; Li, H. Rationally Designed Dynamic Protein Hydrogels With Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2014, 24, 7310-7317.
Kovacic, S. ; Samii, L. ; Lamour, G. ; Li, H. ; Linke, H. ; Bromley, E. H. C. ; Woolfson, D. N. ; Curmi, P. M. G. ; Forde, N. R. Construction And Characterization Of Kilobasepair Densely Labeled Peptide-Dna. BIOMACROMOLECULES 2014, 15, 4065-4072.
Hu, X. ; Li, H. Force Spectroscopy Studies On Protein-Ligand Interactions: A Single Protein Mechanics Perspective. FEBS LETTERS 2014, 588, 3613-3620.
He, C. ; Lamour, G. ; Xiao, A. ; Gsponer, J. ; Li, H. Mechanically Tightening A Protein Slipknot Into A Trefoil Knot. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2014, 136, 11946-11955.
Xue, Y. ; Li, X. ; Li, H. ; Zhang, W. Quantifying Thiol-Gold Interactions Towards The Efficient Strength Control. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS 2014, 5, 4348.
Bull, M. S. ; Sullan, R. May A. ; Li, H. ; Perkins, T. T. Improved Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Using Micromachined Cantilevers. ACS NANO 2014, 8, 4984-4995.
Lamour, G. ; Yip, C. K. ; Li, H. ; Gsponer, J. High Intrinsic Mechanical Flexibility Of Mouse Prion Nanofibrils Revealed By Measurements Of Axial And Radial Young's Moduli. ACS NANO 2014, 8, 3851-3861.
Wang, Y. ; Hu, X. ; Bu, T. ; Hu, C. ; Hu, X. ; Li, H. Molecular Calipers For Highly Precise And Accurate Measurements Of Single-Protein Mechanics. LANGMUIR 2014, 30, 2761-2767.

2013

Ostapchenko, V. G. ; Beraldo, F. H. ; Mohammad, A. H. ; Xie, Y. - F. ; Hirata, P. H. F. ; Magalhaes, A. C. ; Lamour, G. ; Li, H. ; Maciejewski, A. ; Belrose, J. C. ; Teixeira, B. L. ; Fahnestock, M. ; Ferreira, S. T. ; Cashman, N. R. ; Hajj, G. N. M. ; Jackson, M. F. ; Choy, W. - Y. ; MacDonald, J. F. ; Martins, V. R. ; Prado, V. F. ; Prado, M. A. M. The Prion Protein Ligand, Stress-Inducible Phosphoprotein 1, Regulates Amyloid-Beta Oligomer Toxicity. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE 2013, 33, 16552-16564.
Bai, Y. ; Luo, Q. ; Zhang, W. ; Miao, L. ; Xu, J. ; Li, H. ; Liu, J. Highly Ordered Protein Nanorings Designed By Accurate Control Of Glutathione S-Transferase Self-Assembly. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2013, 135, 10966-10969.
Zheng, P. ; Takayama, S. -ichiJ. ; A. Mauk, G. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals That Iron Is Released From The Active Site Of Rubredoxin By A Stochastic Mechanism. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2013, 135, 7992-8000.
Lv, S. ; Bu, T. ; Kayser, J. ; Bausch, A. ; Li, H. Towards Constructing Extracellular Matrix-Mimetic Hydrogels: An Elastic Hydrogel Constructed From Tandem Modular Proteins Containing Tenascin Fniii Domains. ACTA BIOMATERIALIA 2013, 9, 6481-6491.
Panwar, P. ; Du, X. ; Sharma, V. ; Lamour, G. ; Castro, M. ; Li, H. ; Broemme, D. Effects Of Cysteine Proteases On The Structural And Mechanical Properties Of Collagen Fibers. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 2013, 288, 5940-5950.
Fang, J. ; Mehlich, A. ; Koga, N. ; Huang, J. ; Koga, R. ; Gao, X. ; Hu, C. ; Jin, C. ; Rief, M. ; Kast, J. ; Baker, D. ; Li, H. Forced Protein Unfolding Leads To Highly Elastic And Tough Protein Hydrogels. Nature Communications 2013, 4.
Zoldak, G. ; Stigler, J. ; Pelz, B. ; Li, H. ; Rief, M. Ultrafast Folding Kinetics And Cooperativity Of Villin Headpiece In Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2013, 110, 18156-18161.

2012

Li, Y. Devin; Lamour, G. ; Gsponer, J. ; Zheng, P. ; Li, H. The Molecular Mechanism Underlying Mechanical Anisotropy Of The Protein Gb1. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2012, 103, 2361-2368.
Shen, T. ; Cao, Y. ; Zhuang, S. ; Li, H. Engineered Bi-Histidine Metal Chelation Sites Map The Structure Of The Mechanical Unfolding Transition State Of An Elastomeric Protein Domain Gb1. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2012, 103, 807-816.
Bu, T. ; Wang, H. - C. Eileen; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals Critical Roles Of Hydrophobic Core Packing In Determining The Mechanical Stability Of Protein Gb1. LANGMUIR 2012, 28, 12319-12325.
Peng, Q. ; Kong, N. ; Wang, H. - C. Eileen; Li, H. Designing Redox Potential-Controlled Protein Switches Based On Mutually Exclusive Proteins. PROTEIN SCIENCE 2012, 21, 1222-1230.
He, C. ; Genchev, G. Z. ; Lu, H. ; Li, H. Mechanically Untying A Protein Slipknot: Multiple Pathways Revealed By Force Spectroscopy And Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2012, 134, 10428-10435.
Fang, J. ; Li, H. A Facile Way To Tune Mechanical Properties Of Artificial Elastomeric Proteins-Based Hydrogels. LANGMUIR 2012, 28, 8260-8265.
Zheng, P. ; Takayama, S. -ichiJ. ; A. Mauk, G. ; Li, H. Hydrogen Bond Strength Modulates The Mechanical Strength Of Ferric-Thiolate Bonds In Rubredoxin. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2012, 134, 4124-4131.
Lv, S. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. Tandem Modular Protein-Based Hydrogels Constructed Using A Novel Two-Component Approach. LANGMUIR 2012, 28, 2269-2274.

2011

Zheng, P. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. Facile Method Of Constructing Polyproteins For Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Studies. LANGMUIR 2011, 27, 5713-5718.
Zheng, P. ; Li, H. Highly Covalent Ferric-Thiolate Bonds Exhibit Surprisingly Low Mechanical Stability. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2011, 133, 6791-6798.
Cao, Y. ; Li, Y. Devin; Li, H. Enhancing The Mechanical Stability Of Proteins Through A Cocktail Approach. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2011, 100, 1794-1799.
Zheng, P. ; Cao, Y. ; Bu, T. ; Straus, S. K. ; Li, H. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals That Electrostatic Interactions Affect The Mechanical Stability Of Proteins. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2011, 100, 1534-1541.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. Single-Molecule Force-Clamp Spectroscopy: Dwell Time Analysis And Practical Considerations. LANGMUIR 2011, 27, 1440-1447.
Aioanei, D. ; Lv, S. ; Tessari, I. ; Rampioni, A. ; Bubacco, L. ; Li, H. ; Samori, B. ; Brucale, M. Single-Molecule-Level Evidence For The Osmophobic Effect. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2011, 50, 4394-4397.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. Dynamics Of Protein Folding And Cofactor Binding Monitored By Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2011, 101, 2009-2017.
Peng, Q. ; Fang, J. ; Wang, M. ; Li, H. Kinetic Partitioning Mechanism Governs The Folding Of The Third Fniii Domain Of Tenascin-C: Evidence At The Single-Molecule Level. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011, 412, 698-709.
Zheng, P. ; Li, H. Direct Measurements Of The Mechanical Stability Of Zinc-Thiolate Bonds In Rubredoxin By Single-Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2011, 101, 1467-1473.

2010

Li, H. ; Cao, Y. Protein Mechanics: From Single Molecules To Functional Biomaterials. ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH 2010, 43, 1331-1341.
Jollymore, A. ; Li, H. Measuring ``unmeasurable'' Folding Kinetics Of Proteins By Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010, 402, 610-617.
Liu, N. ; Peng, B. ; Lin, Y. ; Su, Z. ; Niu, Z. ; Wang, Q. ; Zhang, W. ; Li, H. ; Shen, J. Pulling Genetic Rna Out Of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Using Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2010, 132, 11036-11038.
Liu, N. ; Bu, T. ; Song, Y. ; Zhang, W. ; Li, J. ; Zhang, W. ; Shen, J. ; Li, H. The Nature Of The Force-Induced Conformation Transition Of Dsdna Studied By Using Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy. LANGMUIR 2010, 26, 9491-9496.
Lv, S. ; Dudek, D. M. ; Cao, Y. ; Balamurali, M. M. ; Gosline, J. ; Li, H. Designed Biomaterials To Mimic The Mechanical Properties Of Muscles. Nature (London, United Kingdom) 2010, 465, 69 - 73.
Zhuang, S. ; Linhananta, A. ; Li, H. Phenotypic Effects Of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Associated Mutation On The Fniii Domain Of Tenascin-X. Protein Science 2010, 19, 2231 - 2239.

2009

Zhuang, S. L. ; Peng, Q. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Modulating The Mechanical Stability Of Extracellular Matrix Protein Tenascin-C In A Controlled And Reversible Fashion. Journal of Molecular Biology 2009, 390, 820-829.
Jollymore, A. ; Lethias, C. ; Peng, Q. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Nanomechanical Properties Of Tenascin-X Revealed By Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Journal of Molecular Biology 2009, 385, 1277-1286.
Peng, Q. ; Li, H. Domain Insertion Effectively Regulates The Mechanical Unfolding Hierarchy Of Elastomeric Proteins: Toward Engineering Multifunctional Elastomeric Proteins. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2009, 131, 14050-14056.
Peng, Q. ; Li, H. Direct Observation Of Tug-Of-War During The Folding Of A Mutually Exclusive Protein. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2009, 131, 13347-13354.
Cao, Y. ; Er, K. Shih; Parhar, R. ; Li, H. A Force-Spectroscopy-Based Single-Molecule Metal-Binding Assay. CHEMPHYSCHEM 2009, 10, 1450-1454.

2008

Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Engineered Elastomeric Proteins With Dual Elasticity Can Be Controlled By A Molecular Regulator. Nature Nanotechnology 2008, 3, 512-516.
Cao, Y. ; Yoo, T. ; Li, H. B. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals Engineered Metal Chelation Is A General Approach To Enhance Mechanical Stability Of Proteins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2008, 105, 11152-11157.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Engineering Tandem Modular Protein Based Reversible Hydrogels. Chemical Communications 2008, 4144-4146.
Li, H. B. ’Mechanical Engineering’ Of Elastomeric Proteins: Toward Designing New Protein Building Blocks For Biomaterials. Advanced Functional Materials 2008, 18, 2643-2657.
Balamurali, M. M. ; Sharma, D. ; Chang, A. ; Khor, D. ; Chu, R. ; Li, H. B. Recombination Of Protein Fragments: A Promising Approach Toward Engineering Proteins With Novel Nanomechanical Properties. Protein Science 2008, 17, 1815-1826.
Sharma, D. ; Feng, G. ; Khor, D. ; Genchev, G. Z. ; Lu, H. ; Li, H. B. Stabilization Provided By Neighboring Strands Is Critical For The Mechanical Stability Of Proteins. Biophysical Journal 2008, 95, 3935-3942.
Cao, Y. ; Yoo, T. ; Zhuang, S. L. ; Li, H. B. Protein-Protein Interaction Regulates Proteins’ Mechanical Stability. Journal of Molecular Biology 2008, 378, 1132-1141.
Li, H. B. ; Wang, H. C. ; Cao, Y. ; Sharma, D. ; Wang, M. Configurational Entropy Modulates The Mechanical Stability Of Protein Gb1. Journal of Molecular Biology 2008, 379, 871-880.
Cao, Y. ; Kuske, R. ; Li, H. B. Direct Observation Of Markovian Behavior Of The Mechanical Unfolding Of Individual Proteins. Biophysical Journal 2008, 95, 782-788.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. How Do Chemical Denaturants Affect The Mechanical Folding And Unfolding Of Proteins?. Journal of Molecular Biology 2008, 375, 316-324.
Peng, Q. ; Li, H. B. Atomic Force Microscopy Reveals Parallel Mechanical Unfolding Pathways Of T4 Lysozyme: Evidence For A Kinetic Partitioning Mechanism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2008, 105, 1885-1890.

2007

Cao, Y. ; Balamurali, M. M. ; Sharma, D. ; Li, H. B. A Functional Single-Molecule Binding Assay Via Force Spectroscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2007, 104, 15677-15681.
Sharma, D. ; Perisic, O. ; Peng, Q. ; Cao, Y. ; Lam, C. ; Lu, H. ; Li, H. B. Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals A Mechanically Stable Protein Fold And The Rational Tuning Of Its Mechanical Stability. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2007, 104, 9278-9283.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Polyprotein Of Gb1 Is An Ideal Artificial Elastomeric Protein. Nature Materials 2007, 6, 109-114.

2006

Walther, K. A. ; Brujic, J. ; Li, H. B. ; Fernandez, J. M. Sub-Angstrom Conformational Changes Of A Single Molecule Captured By Afm Variance Analysis. Biophysical Journal 2006, 90, 3806-3812.
Wang, M. J. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. The Unfolding And Folding Dynamics Of Tnfnall Probed By Single Molecule Force-Ramp Spectroscopy. Polymer 2006, 47, 2548-2554.
Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals A Weakly Populated Microstate Of The Fniii Domains Of Tenascin. Journal of Molecular Biology 2006, 361, 372-381.
Sharma, D. ; Cao, Y. ; Li, H. B. Engineering Proteins With Novel Mechanical Properties By Recombination Of Protein Fragments. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition 2006, 45, 5633-5638.
Cao, Y. ; Lam, C. ; Wang, M. J. ; Li, H. B. Nonmechanical Protein Can Have Significant Mechanical Stability. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition 2006, 45, 642-645.

2004

Fernandez, J. M. ; Li, H. B. ; Brujic, J. Response To Comment On "force-Clamp Spectroscopy Monitors The Folding Trajectory Of A Single Protein". Science 2004, 306, 411C-+.