AOAC OMB ERP Approval (8-17-17)

Investigated peptide/protein oxidative side-reaction in CuAAC reaction by combinatorial peptide synthesis and MS-based protein modification analysis. Discovered a new type of copper-binding ligand to significantly reduce peptide/protein oxidative degradation and accelerate CuAAC reaction. Developed a new catalyst for CuAAC bioconjugation reaction inside living mammalian cells. Studied the intracellular reaction by MS-based quantitative analysis, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting assays. Identified a key inhibitor for intracellular CuAAC reaction.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

2010-2015

DSTF Fellowship, UH

2010

Outstanding Senior Student, SCUT Undergraduate Research Fellowship, SCUT

2009-2010

American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) OTHER ACTIVITIES Scientific reviewer for Molecules , International Journal of Molecular Sciences , Chemistry & Biodiversity , Materials Chemistry and Physics , Chemical Biology & Drug Design . PUBLICATIONS 1. Li, S. , Wang, L., Yu, F., Zhu, Z., Shobaki, D., Chen, H., Wang, M., Wang, J., Qin, G., Erasquin, U., Ren, L., Wang, Y. and Cai, C. Copper-catalyzed click reaction on/in live cells. Chem. Sci. , 2017 , 8, 2107–2114. 2. Zhu, Z., Chen, H., Li, S. , Yang, X., Bittner, E. and Cai, C. Tripodal amine ligands for accelerating Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition: efficiency and stability against oxidation and dissociation. Catal. Sci. Technol. , 2017 , 7, 2474–2485. 3. Chen, H., Cai, C., Li, S. , Ma, Y., Luozhong, S. and Zhu, Z. Intermediates stabilized by tris(triazolylmethyl)amine in CuAAC reaction. Eur. J. Chem. , 2017 , 23, 4730–4735. 4. Chen, Q., Zhu, Z., Wang, J., Lopez, A., Li, S. , Kumar, A., Yu, F., Chen, H., Cai, C. and Zhang, L. Probiotic E.Coli Nissle 1917 biofilms on silicone substrates for bacterial interference against pathogen colonization. Acta Biomater. , 2017 , 50, 353–360. 5. Qin, G., Zhu, Z., Li, S. , McDermott, A. and Cai, C. Development of ciprofloxacin-loaded contact lenses using fluorous chemistry. Biomaterials , 2017 , 124, 55–64. 6. Li, S. , Cai, H., He, J., Chen, H., Lam, S., Cai, T., Bark, S. and Cai, C. Extent of the oxidative side-reactions to peptides and proteins during CuAAC reaction. Bioconjugate Chem. , 2016 , 27, 2315–2322. 7. Qin, G., Zhu, Z., Li, S. , Cai, C. and McDermott, A. Contact lens surface modification utilizing fluorous chemistry. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. , 2016 , 57, 1458–1458. 8. Contreras-Caceres, R., Santos, C., Li, S. , Kumar, A., Zhu, Z., Kolar, S., Casado-Rodriguez, M., Huang, Y., McDermott, A., Lopez-Romero, J. and Cai, C. Modification of fluorous substrates with oligo(ethylene glycol) via “click” chemistry for long-term resistance of cell adhesion. J. Colloid Interface Sci. , 2015 , 458, 112–118. 9. Zhu, Z., Wang, J., Lopez, A., Yu, F., Huang, Y., Kumar, A., Li, S. , Zhang, L. and Cai, C. Surfaces presenting α-phenyl mannoside derivatives enable formation of stable, high coverage, non-pathogenic Escherichia coli biofilms against pathogen colonization. Biomater. Sci. , 2015 , 3, 842–851. 10. Wang, L., Zhao, M., Li, S. , Erasquin, U., Wang, H., Chen, C. and Cai, C. “Click” immobilization of a VEGF-mimetic peptide on decellularized endothelial extracellular matrix to enhance angiogenesis. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces , 2014 , 6, 8401–8406.