Next-Generation RNA Therapeutics: We develop efficient synthetic methods to make novel RNA mimetics with improved stability, translation efficiency, and reduced immunogenicity for therapeutic applications including miRNA, siRNA, protein-replacement therapy, mRNA vaccine, and CRISPR.
Reprogram RNA with Small-Molecule: We develop general cell-based platforms to identify selective RNA-binding small molecules and use optimized molecules to inhibit/activate RNA function (e.g., translation), degrade RNA, induce alternative splicing, and even edit RNA in vivo.
Enzyme-Like DNA Catalyst Design: We design enzyme-like DNA catalyst by merging small-molecule catalysts (i.e., co-factor) with programmable DNA structures (i.e., chiral environment) for unsolved reactivity and selectivity problems in a more sustainable way.
Teaching Contributions AY2022/2023
CM2122 Organic Chemistry
CM5225 Asymmetric Catalysis
Representative Publications
Zhu, R.-Y.; Majumdar, C.; Khuu, C.; De Rosa, M.; Opresko, P. L.; David, S. S.; Kool, E. T. Designer Fluorescent Adenines Enable Real-Time Monitoring of MUTYH Activity. ACS Cent. Sci. 2020, 6, 1735.
Zhu, R.-Y.; Li, Z.-Q; Park, H. S.; Senanayake, C. H.; Yu, J.-Q. Ligand-Enabled γ-C(sp3)–H Activation of Ketones. J.Am. Chem. Soc.2018, 140, 3564.
Zhu, R.-Y.; Liu, L-Y.; Park, H. S.; Hong, K.; Wu, Y.; Senanayake, C. H.; Yu, J.-Q. Versatile Alkylation of (Hetero)Aryl Iodides with Ketones via β-C(sp3)–H Activation. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 16080.
Zhu, R.-Y.; Liu, L-Y.; Yu, J.-Q. Highly Versatile β-C(sp3)–H Iodination of Ketones Using a Practical Auxiliary. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2017, 139, 12394.
Zhu, R.-Y.; Saint-Denis, T. G.; Shao, Y.; He, J.; Sieber, J. D.; Senanayake, C. H.; Yu, J.-Q. Ligand-Enabled Pd(II)-Catalyzed Bromination and Iodination of C(sp3)–H Bonds. J.Am. Chem. Soc.2017, 139, 5724.
Zhu, R.-Y.; Farmer, M. E.; Chen, Y.-Q.; Yu, J.-Q. A Simple and Versatile Amide Directing Group for C−H Functionalizations. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed.2016, 55, 10578.
