Dr. Kai Liu
Tenured Full Professor
Tsinghua University
Department of Chemistry
E-mail: kailiu@tsinghua.edu.cn
short cv: Kai Liu received his PhD degree from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands in 2015. Then he pursued his postdoctoral studies at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and Harvard University in the USA, respectively. In 2017 he was appointed as a principal investigator at Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and focused on engineered biomaterials and high-tech applications. In 2020, he moved to the Department of Chemistry of Tsinghua University in Beijing, and in 2023 he was promoted as a tenured full professor and heads a laboratory performing research at the interface of biotechnology, biosynthetic materials, and information technology. He has published more than 150 papers in high-ranked journals, including more than 50 papers in Nat. Commun., Sci. Adv., PNAS, JACS, Angew. Chem., Adv. Mater. and his 36 patents are issued. He is acting as a chief scientist for a national key grant. In the past years he has been given several talent awards including National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Netherlands organization for scientific research (NWO) Rubicon award, Young Innovator Award of Nano Research, Chemical Biology Young Investigator Award of the Chinese Chemistry Society, China Rare Earth Science&Technology Award (first grade). Besides, he is serving as peer-review editor or editorial board for several journals, including CAE flag journal Engineering and ACS Applied Bio Materials.
Education and Work Experience
2010-2015 PhD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
2015-2016 Postdoctoral research, University of Groningen & Harvard University
2016-2017 Postdoctoral research, Harvard University
2017-2020 PI, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2020-2023 PI, Tenured Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University
2023- PI, Tenured Full Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University
Awards and honors
Chemical Biology Young Investigator Award of the Chinese Chemistry Society
China Rare Earth Science&Technology Award
Young Innovator Award of Nano Research
National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars
Chief Scientist for National Key Grant
Editorial board for ACS Applied Bio Materials
Chinese Academy of Engineering flagjournal Engineering peer-review topic editor
Jilin Province Youth Science and Technology Award
Netherlands organization for scientific research (NWO)-Rubicon award
National Young Talents Program
Netherlands Cum Laude Ph.D diploma
Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad
Research areas and interests
We are focusing on biological synthesis and the production of scale-up functional biomaterials. Structural proteins are designed as building blocks for ultra-strong biomaterials for high-tech applications are explored. We are also performing research on the interface of biotechnology and information technology.
Recent publications
1. J. Sun, J. Zhang, L. Zhao, S. Wan, B. Wu, C. Ma, J. Li, F. Wang, X. Xing*, D. Chen*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Contribution of Hydrogen Bond Nanoarchitectonics to Switchable Photo-Thermal-Mechanical Properties of Bio-inorganic Fibers, CCS Chem., 2023, 5, 1242.
2. J. Sun, H. He, K. Zhao, W. Cheng, Y. Li, P. Zhang, S. Wan, Y. Liu, M. Wang, M. Li, Z. Wei, B. Li, Y. Zhang, C. Li, Y. Sun, J. Shen, J. Li, F. Wang, C. Ma, Y. Tian, J. Su*, D. Chen*, C. Fan, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Protein fibers with self-recoverable mechanical properties via dynamic imine chemistry, Nat. Commun. 2023, 16839.
3. Y. Zhang, C. Ma, S. Wan, C. Li, J. Shen, J. Li, F. Wang*, X. Liu, H. Zhang, C. Fan*, K. Liu*, Super strong and tough DNA bulk fibers via metal ion-induced multiscale engineering, Matter, 2023, 01424.
4. H. Cui, X. Zhang, J. Chen, X. Qian, Y. Zhong, C. Ma*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, The Construction of Microbial Synthesis System for Rare Earth Enrichment and Material Applications, Adv. Mater., 2023, 2303457.
5. Y. Ren, Y. Zhang, Y. Liu, Q. Wu, H. Hu*, J. Li*, C. Fan, D. Chen*, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Highly Reliable and Efficient Encoding Systems for Hexadecimal Polypeptide-based Data Storage, Fundamental Research, 2023, 3, 298.
6. K. Zhao, B. Li, Y. Sun, B. Jia, J. Chen, W. Cheng, L. Zhao, J. Li,F. Wang, J. Su, Jing Sun, B. Han*, Y. Liu*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Engineered Bicomponent Adhesives with Instantaneous and Superior Adhesion Performance for Wound Sealing and Healing Applications, Adv. Funct. Mater., 2023, 202303509.
7. Z. Wang, X. Gu*, B. Li, J. Li, F. Wang, J. Sun*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, W. Guo*, Molecularly engineered protein glues with superior adhesion performance, Adv. Mater., 2022, 34 (41), 2204590.
8. K. Zhao, Y. Liu*, Y. Ren, B. Li, J. Li, F. Wang, C. Ma, F. Ye*, J. Sun*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Molecular Engineered Crown-Ether–Protein with Strong Adhesion over a Wide Temperature Range from -196 to 200°C, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, e202207425.
9. Y. Liu, Y. Ren, J. Li*, F. Wang, F. Wang, C. Ma, D. Chen*, X. Jiang, C. Fan, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, In vivo processing of digital information molecularly with targeted specificity and robust reliability, Sci. Adv., 2022, 8, eabo7415.
10. J. Su, B. Liu, H. He, C. Ma, B. Wei*, M. Li, J. Li, F. Wang, J. Sun*, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Engineering high strength and super toughness of unfolded structural proteins and their extraordinary anti-adhesion performance for abdominal hernia repair, Adv. Mater., 2022, 34, 2200842.
11. Y. Liu, K. Zhao, Y. Ren, S. Wan, C. Yang, J. Li, F. Wang, C. Chen, J. Su*, D. Chen*, Y. Zhao, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Highly Plasticized Lanthanide Luminescence for Information Storage and Encryption Applications, Adv. Sci., 2022, 9, 2105108.
12. L. Zhao, J. Li, L. Zhang, X. Gu, W. Wei*, J. Sun*, F. Wang*, C. Chen, Y. Zhao, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Biosynthetic protein and nanocellulose composite fibers with extraordinary mechanical performance, Nano Today, 2022, 44, 101485.
13. Z. Meng, Q. Liu, Y. Zhang, J. Sun, C. Yang, H. Li, M. Loznik, R. Göstl, D. Chen, F. Wang*, N. A. Clark, H. Zhang, A. Herrmann*, K. Liu*, Highly stiff and stretchable DNA liquid crystalline organogels with super plasticity, ultrafast self-healing and magnetic response behaviors, Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2106208.
14. J. Sun, L. Xiao, B. Li, K. Zhao, Z. Wang, Y. Zhou, C. Ma, J. Li, H. Zhang, A. Herrmann*, K. Liu*, Genetically engineered polypeptide adhesive coacervates for surgical applications, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2021, 60, 23687.
15. L. Xiao, Z. Wang, Y. Sun, B. Li, B. Wu, C. Ma, V. S. Petrovskii, X. Gu, D. Chen, I. I. Potemkin, A. Herrmann, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, An artificial phase‐transitional underwater bioglue with robust and switchable adhesion performance, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 12082.
16. C. Ma, B. Li, J. Zhang, Y. Sun, J. Li, H. Zhou, J. Shen, R. Gu, J. Qian, C. Fan, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Significantly improving the bioefficacy for rheumatoid arthritis with supramolecular nanoformulations, Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2100098.
17. J. Zhang, B. Li, J. Zuo, R. Gu*, B. Liu, C. Ma, J. Li*, K. Liu*, An Engineered Protein Adhesive with Properties of Tissue Integration and Controlled Release for Efficient Cartilage Repair, Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2021, 10, 2100109.
18. S. Wang, B. Li, H. Zhang, J. Chen, X. Sun, J. Xu, T. Ren, Y. Zhang, C. Ma*, W. Guo*, K. Liu*, Improving Bioavailaibity of Hydrophobic Prodrugs through Supramolecular Nanocarriers based on Recombinant Proteins for Osteosarcoma Treatment, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11252.
19. C. Ma, J. Sun, B. Li, Y. Feng, Y. Sun, L. Xiang, B. Wu, L. Xiao, B. Liu, V. S. Petrovskii, B. Liu, J. Zhang, Z. Wang, H. Li, L. Zhang, J. Li, F. Wang, R. Gostl, I. I. Potemkin, D. Chen, H. Zeng, H. Zhang, D. Weitz, K. Liu*, A. Herrmann*, Ultra-strong bio-glue from genetically engineered polypeptides, Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3613.
20. J. Sun, C. Ma, S. Maity, F. Wang, Y. Zhou, G. Portale, R. Göstl, W. H. Roos, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, A. Herrmann*, Reversibly photo-modulating mechanical stiffness and toughness of bioengineered protein fibers, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 3222.
21. J. Sun, C. Ma, B. Li, F. Wang, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Proteinaceous fibers with outstanding mechanical properties manipulated by supramolecular interactions, CCS Chem. 2021, 3, 1669.
22. C. Ma, B. Li, B. Shao, B. Wu, D. Chen, J. Su*, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Anisotropic protein organofibers encoded with extraordinary mechanical behaviors for cellular mechanobiology applications, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 21481.
23. C. Ma, J. Dong, M. Viviani, I. Tulini, N. Pontillo, S. Maity, Y. Zhou, W. H. Roos, K. Liu*, A. Herrmann*, G. Portale*, Denovo rational design of a freestanding, supercharged polypeptide, proton conducting membrane, Sci. Adv. 2020, 6, eabc0810.
24. J. Li#, Y. Sun#, Y. Liang#, J. Ma*, B. Li, C. Ma, R. Tanzi, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, C. Zhang*, Extracellular elastin molecule modulates Alzheimer’s Aβ dynamics in vitro and in vivo by affecting microglial activities, CCS Chem. 2021, 3, 1830.
25. B. Shao, S. Wan, C. Yang, J. Shen, Y. Li, H. You, D. Chen*, C. Fan, K. Liu*, H. Zhang*, Engineered Anisotropic Fluids of Rare Earth Nanomaterials, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 18213.
26. Y. Li, J. Li, J. Sun, H. He, B. Li, C. Ma, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Bio-inspired and Mechanically Strong Fibers Based on Engineered Non-Spider Chimeric Proteins, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 8148.
27. J. Li, B. Li, J. Sun, C. Ma, S. Wan, Y. Li, R. Göstl, A. Herrmann, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Engineered Near-Infrared Fluorescent Protein Assemblies for Robust Bioimaging and Therapeutic Applications, Adv. Mater. 2020, 32, 2000964.
28. H. He, C. Yang, F. Wang*, Z. Wei, J. Shen, D. Chen, C. Fan, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Mechanically strong globular protein-based fibers via microfluidic spinning technique, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 4344.
29. Z. Sun, C. Yang, F. Wang, B. Wu, B. Shao, Z. Li, D. Chen*, Z. Yang*, K. Liu*, Biocompatible and pH‐Responsive Colloidal Surfactants with Tunable Shape for Controlled Interfacial Curvature, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 9365.
30. J. Zhang, J. Sun, B. Li, C. Yang, J. Shen, N. Wang, R. Gu, D. Wang*, D. Chen, H. Hu*, C. Fan, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Robust Biological Fibers Based on Widely Available Proteins: Facile Fabrication and Suturing Application, Small, 2020, 16, 1907598.
31. C. Ma, J. Su, B. Li, A. Herrmann, H. Zhang, K. Liu*, Solvent-free plasticity and programmable mechanical behaviors of engineered proteins, Adv. Mater. 2020, 32, 1907697.
32. J. Sun, J. Su, C. Ma, R. Göstl, A. Herrmann, K. Liu*, H. Zhang,Fabrication and mechanical properties of engineered protein-based adhesives and fibers, Adv. Mater. 2020, 32, 1906360.
33. C.Ma, J. Su, Y. Sun, Y. Feng, N. Shen, B. Li, Y. Liang, X. Yang, H. Wu, H. Zhang, A. Herrmann*, R. E. Tanzi, K. Liu*, C. Zhang*, Significant upregulation of Alzheimer’s β-amyloids in vivo induced by extracellular elastin polypeptides, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 18703.
34. H. He, K. Zhao, L. Xiao, Y. Zhang, Y. Cheng, S. Chen, L. Zhang*, X. Zhou*, K. Liu*, H. Zhang, Detection and chiral recognition of α-hydroxyl acid through proton and CEST NMR using Yb macrocyclic complex, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 18286.
35. L. Zhang, C. Ma, J. Sun, B. Shao, D. Chen, G. Portale, K. Liu*, A. Herrmann*, Genetically engineered supercharged polypeptide fluids: fast and persistent self-ordering induced by a touch, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018. 57, 6878.
