Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica

Research

Our laboratory is specialized in structural proteomics, and uses it to study the functions of important bio-systems. Our primary methodologies are high-throughput synchrotron protein crystallography, proteomics as well as bioinformatics. Other advanced technologies, e.g., NMR spectroscopy, SAXS, EM, biophysical or immunological methods are used if necessary. The following domains are our primary interests:

1. Structural enzymology: Several enzymes as potential targets for drug discovery are under investigation. For developing new antibiotics, we focused on prenyltransferases. For anticancer agents, we analyzed phosphatases (in signal transduction). Studies of potential targets for diabetics and Alzheimer’s disease are also in progress.
2. Protein-DNA interactions: Besides investigating the effect of small drug molecules in gene transcription, we further devoted to another new gene regulation mechanism by DNA mimic proteins.
3. Causative microorganisms and cancer: In these issues, we focused on the regulation of bacterial anti-drug gene and biofilm as well as the cancer-related kinases and phosphatases.
4. Development of potential pharmaceutical proteins: We also involved in the protein drug discovery by investigating membrane proteins, antigens and antibodies.

Degrees and Positions Held

• 1974   Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 1970   M.S. , National Taiwan University
• 1967   B.S., National Taiwan University

• 2019 – present   Visiting Scholar, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica
• 2019 – present   Visiting Chair, Biomedical Translation Research Center
• 2017 – 2020   Director, Program for Translational Innovation of Biopharmaceutical Development – Technology Supporting Platform Axis
• 2017 – 2019   Acting CEO, National Biotechnology Research Park
• 2016 – 2019   Distinguished Visiting Chair, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica
• 2016 – 2019   Co-Chair, Taiwan Protein Project
• 2015 – 2016   Vice President, Academia Sinica
• 2011 – 2015   Distinguished Research Fellow , Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica
• 2006 – 2011   Distinguished Research Fellow and Vice President (Academic), Academia Sinica
• 2000 – 2006   Distinguished Research Fellow and Director, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica
• 1992 – 1999   Adjunct Research Fellow, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica
• 1988 – 1996   Advisory Board Members, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica
• 1988 – 1989   Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 1985 – 1988   Senior Research Scientist, MIT
• 1982 – 1985   Principal Research Scientist, MIT
• 1980 – 1982   Research Scientist, MIT
• 1974 – 1980   Postdoctoral Research Associate , MIT

Selected Publications

Streucure-based development of human interleukin-1β-specific antibody that simultaneously inhibits binding to both IL-1R1 and IL-1RAcP.  
Kuo WC, Lee CC, Chang YW, Pang W, Chen HS, Hou SC, Lo SY, Yang AS, Wang AH  
Journal of Molecular Biology (2021)

Vibrio cholerae biofilm scaffolding protein RbmA shows an intrinsic, phosphate-dependent autoproteolysis activity.  
Maestre-Reyna M, Huang WC, Wu WJ, Singh PK, Hartmann R, Wang PH, Lee CC, Hikima T, Yamamoto M, Bessho Y, Drescher K, Tsai MD, Wang AH  
IUBMB Life (2021)

Structure, catalysis, and inhibition mechanism of prenyltransferase.  
Chang HY, Cheng TH, Wang AH  
IUBMB Life (2021)

Structural basis of polyethylene glycol recognition by antibody.  
Lee CC, Su YC, Ko TP, Lin LL, Yang CY, Chang SS, Roffler SR, Wang AH  
Journal of biomedical science (2020)

Development of a versatile and modular linker for antibody-drug conjugates based on oligonucleotide strand pairing.  
Hsu NS, Lee CC, Kuo WC, Chang YW, Lo SY, Wang AH  
Bioconjug Chem (2020)

New paradigm of functional regulation by DNA mimic proteins: Recent updates.  
Wang HC, Chou CC, Hsu KC, Lee CH, Wang AH  
IUBMB Life (2019)

An effective neutralizing antibody against influenza virus H1N1 from human B cells.  
Lee CC, Yang CY, Lin LL, Ko TP, Chang AH, Chang SS, Wang AH  
Scientific reports (2019)

Crystal structure of PigA: A prolyl thioester-oxidizing enzyme in prodigiosin biosynthesis.  
Lee CC, Ko TP, Chen CT, Chan YT, Lo SY, Chang JY, Chen YW, Chung TF, Hsieh HJ, Hsiao CD, Wang AH  
Chembiochem (2019)

The C-terminal D/E-rich domain of MBD3 is a putative Z-DNA mimic that competes for Zα DNA-binding activity.  
Lee CH, Shih YP, Ho MR, Wang AH  
Nucleic acids research (2018)

Using structural-based protein engineering to modulate the differential inhibition effects of SAUGI on human and HSV uracil DNA glycosylase.  
Wang HC, Ho CH, Chou CC, Ko TP, Huang MF, Hsu KC, Wang AH  
Nucleic acids research (2016)

Publication List