Wen-Wu Li

Biography

Dr Li studied Biochemistry at Jilin University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and gained his PhD in Chemistry from Zhejiang University, China. Subsequently he worked on anticancer drug discovery and development in Chengdu Diao Pharmaceutical Group, China.

He was awarded a postdoctoral scholarship by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) to investigate secondary metabolites and enzymes from plant cell cultures at the University of Münster, Germany. He then researched peptide/protein design and engineering at the University of Freiburg, Germany. From there Dr Li moved to the University of Oxford to work on carbohydrates, membrane proteins and epigenetic DNA.

In November 2011 he took up his current post in the School of Pharmacy & Bioengineering at Keele University.

Research and scholarship

Research theme: Therapeutics

In our team we are exploring drug discovery and development, as well as bioengineering of peptides and antibodies for biomedical application in cancer and infectious diseases. To achieve our goals, we use interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches such as analytical (bio)chemistry, medicinal chemistry, mammalian and microbial cell cultures, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, fluorescence scanning electron microscopy, epigenetic and proteomics analysis.

Novel therapy development

Small molecules

Medicines from nature have long been used for the therapy of various kinds of disease. Even today, many drugs are from or derived from natural products. Penicillin is the first antibiotic discovered in the UK; paclitaxel isolated from yew trees in the USA is a well-known chemotherapy drug for the treatment of different cancers including ovarian, breast and lung cancer; artemisinin (qinghao su, 青蒿素) discovered in China is the first-line therapy against malaria.

Due to the development of multi-drug resistance in cancers and microbial pathogens, there is an urgent need to discover and develop new medicines with novel mechanisms of action to combat these diseases. Currently, we are exploring anticancer, antibacterial and antimalarial compounds from natural sources including Chinese medicinal plants and African medicinal plants and marine organisms. Our aim is to discover new bioactive natural products, make their analogues via semi-synthesis or biotransformation, and understand their mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics. We hope to develop hit compounds to lead compounds and to clinical trial candidates, and eventually as safe and effective medicines.

F. Uche, et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2018, 28, 1652

Collaborators: Dr Alan Richardson, Prof. Paul Horrocks (Keele); Prof. Tim Claridge, Prof. James McCullagh, (Oxford); Dr Vidushi S Neergheen-Bhujan (Mauritius).

Antibody-drug conjugates

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are emerging as a highly potent and targeted hybrid class of biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer. ADCs comprise an antibody, a linker and a cytotoxic drug. By combining the highly specific targeting capabilities of a monoclonal antibody raised against a particular tumour marker with the cytotoxic drug, ADCs allow for focussed discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue. To date, four ADCs have received approval for treatment of various cancers; these are gemtuzumab ozogamicin; brentuximab vedotin, and trastuzumab emtansine. Many other ADCs are at different stages of clinical development. Novel ADCs against different types of cancers are highly desired. Our aims are to design and make novel ADCs using highly toxic natural products as payloads to treat ovarian cancer with minimal side effects.

Collaborators: Dr. Alan Richardson, Dr. Sarah Hart, Prof. Murray Brunt.

Biomedical Engineering

Medical device related infections constitute up to 60% of health care associated infections due to biofilm formation. Biofilms protect cells from environmental stresses, and host immune responses. It has been reported that 99.9% of bacteria grow as aggregated "sessile" communities attached to surfaces, rather than as "planktonic" or free-floating cells in liquid. As a consequence, antibiotics act against bacteria in biofilms less effectively. Thus, antimicrobial peptides, including plant-derived cyclotides, designed and synthetic peptides are considered to be promising agents against multidrug-resistant bacterial biofilm infections. Antibacterial coating has become a favourable approach to tackle bacterial pathogens on the implant surfaces. Therefore, we aim to use novel antimicrobial peptides to bind to metallic surfaces of implant in order to address biofilm-associated infection.

P. Cao, et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 793

Collaborators: Prof. Ying Yang, Dr. Sarah Hart (Keele), Prof. Chengqing Yuan (China).

Teaching

Current teaching:

MRes Bioengineering

Course Director for MRes Bioengineering programme

PHA 40196 Research Project (Module Co-ordinator)

MSc Cell & Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

MTE 40015 Medical Project (Module Co-ordinator)

MTE-40025 Molecular Techniques: Application in Tissue Engineering (Module Co-ordinator)

MTE-40029 Medical Equipment and Technology Services Management (Module Co-ordinator)

Master of Pharmacy

PHA 40120 Stage 4 Research project, supervising student projects

Past teaching:

LSC 40017 Introduction to Scientific Research (Module Co-ordinator)

Undergraduate Programme organiser for annual Iman University students visit.

Dr Li is a Fellow of the High Education Academy. He has completed the MA degree in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Further information

Memberships of professional societies:

The Royal Society of Chemistry
The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The European Association for Cancer Research
European Peptide Society
Phytochemical Society of Europe
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Cover illustration from Dr Li's publication in Nature Chemistry 2010 and frontispiece from Angewandte Chemie 2013.

Selected Publications

Aldulaimi O, Drijfhout F, Uche FI, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2019. Discovery, synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of phenolic compounds from Cylicodiscus gabunensis. BMC Complement Altern Med, vol. 19(1), 183. link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, McCullagh J, Claridge T, Richardson A, Li WW. 2018. Synthesis of (aminoalkyl)cycleanine analogues: cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. doi> link> full text>
Cao P, Yang Y, Uche FI, Hart SR, Li W-W, Yuan C. 2018. Coupling Plant-Derived Cyclotides to Metal Surfaces: An Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Study. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 19(3). link> doi> full text>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Ullah I, Mbye H, Richardson A, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2018. The synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, vol. 28(7), 1219-1222. link> doi> full text>
Aldulaimi O, Uche FI, Hameed H, Mbye H, Ullah I, Drijfhout F, Claridge TDW, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2017. A characterization of the antimalarial activity of the bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms. J Ethnopharmacol, vol. 198, 221-225. link> doi> full text>

Full Publications List show

Journal Articles

Aldulaimi O, Drijfhout F, Uche FI, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2019. Discovery, synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of phenolic compounds from Cylicodiscus gabunensis. BMC Complement Altern Med, vol. 19(1), 183. link> doi> full text>
Johnson-Ajinwo O, Richardson A, Li W-W. 2019. Palmatine from Unexplored Rutidea parviflora Showed Cytotoxicity and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells. Toxins, vol. 11(4), 237. doi> link> full text>
Rummun N, Hughes RE, Beesoo R, Li WW, Aldulaimi O, Macleod KG, Bahorun T, Carragher NO, Kagansky A, Neergheen-Bhujun VS. 2019. Mauritian Endemic Medicinal Plant Extracts Induce G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Growth Inhibition of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro. Acta Naturae, vol. 11(1), 81-90. link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, McCullagh J, Claridge T, Richardson A, Li WW. 2018. Synthesis of (aminoalkyl)cycleanine analogues: cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. doi> link> full text>
Cao P, Yang Y, Uche FI, Hart SR, Li W-W, Yuan C. 2018. Coupling Plant-Derived Cyclotides to Metal Surfaces: An Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Study. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 19(3). link> doi> full text>
Cao P, Li W-W, Morris AR, Horrocks PD, Yuan C-Q, Yang Y. 2018. Investigation of the antibiofilm capacity of peptide-modified stainless steel. R Soc Open Sci, vol. 5(3), 172165. link> doi> full text>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Ullah I, Mbye H, Richardson A, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2018. The synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, vol. 28(7), 1219-1222. link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, Abed MN, Abdullah MI, Drijfhout FP, McCullagh J, Claridge TWD, Richardson A, Li W-W. 2017. Isochondodendrine and 2 '-norcocsuline: additional alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. RSC ADVANCES, vol. 7(70), 44154-44161. link> doi> full text>
Weli HK, Akhtar R, Chang Z, Li W-W, Cooper J, Yang Y. 2017. Advanced glycation products' levels and mechanical properties of vaginal tissue in pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, vol. 214, 78-85. link> doi> full text>
Beesoo R, Bhagooli R, Neergheen-Bhujun VS, Li W-W, Kagansky A, Bahorun T. 2017. Antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating activities of tropical marine sponge extracts. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol, vol. 196, 81-90. link> doi> full text>
Aldulaimi O, Uche FI, Hameed H, Mbye H, Ullah I, Drijfhout F, Claridge TDW, Horrocks P, Li W-W. 2017. A characterization of the antimalarial activity of the bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms. J Ethnopharmacol, vol. 198, 221-225. link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, Drijfhout FP, McCullagh J, Richardson A, Li WW. 2016. Cytotoxicity Effects and Apoptosis Induction by Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata. Phytotherapy Research, vol. 30(9), 1533-1539. doi> link> full text>
Aldulaimi O and Li WW. 2016. Fingerprint of Tiger Balm® By Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Pharmacogn. J., vol. 8(3), 230-233. doi> link> full text>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Richardson A, Li W-W. 2015. Cytotoxic effects of stem bark extracts and pure compounds from Margaritaria discoidea on human ovarian cancer cell lines. Phytomedicine, vol. 22(1), 1-4. link> doi>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR and Li W-W. 2014. Stable isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for quantification of thymoquinone in black cumin seed oil. J Agric Food Chem, vol. 62(24), 5466-5471. link> doi>
Li WW, Gong L, Bayley H. 2013. Single molecule detection of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine through chemical modification and nanopore analysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, vol. 52(16), 4350-4355. doi>
Li WW, Claridge T, Li Q, Wolmald M, Davis B, Bayley H. 2011. Tuning the cavity of cyclodextrins: altered sugar adaptors in protein pores. J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 133, 1987-2001. doi>
Lu S, Li W-W, Rotem D, Mikhailova E, Bayley H. 2010. A primary hydrogen-deuterium isotope effect observed at the single-molecule level. Nat Chem, vol. 2(11), 921-928. link> doi>
Albrecht T, Li W-W, Haehnel W, Hildebrandt P, Ulstrup J. 2006. Voltammetry and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy of de novo designed heme protein monolayers on Au(111)-electrode surfaces. Bioelectrochemistry, vol. 69(2), 193-200. link> doi>
Li W-W, Hellwig P, Ritter M, Haehnel W. 2006. De novo design, synthesis, and characterization of quinoproteins. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, vol. 12(27), 7236-7245. link> doi>
Li WW and Barz W. 2006. Structure and accumulation of phenolics in elicited Echinacea purpurea cell cultures. Planta Medica, vol. 72(3), 248-254. link> doi>
Li WW, Heinze J, Haehnel W. 2005. Site-specific binding of quinones to proteins through thiol addition and addition-elimination reactions. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, vol. 127(17), 6140-6141. link> doi>
Albrecht T, Li WW, Ulstrup J, Haehnel W, Hildebrandt P. 2005. Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations of immobilized de novo designed heme proteins on metal electrodes. CHEMPHYSCHEM, vol. 6(5), 961-970. link> doi>
Li WW and Barz W. 2005. Biotechnological production of two new 8,4 '-oxynorneolignans by elicitation of Echinacea purpurea cell cultures. TETRAHEDRON LETTERS, vol. 46(17), 2973-2977. link> doi>
Gu HM, Li WW, Li BG. 2000. The effect of Vitis oligostilbenes on scavenging oxygen radicals. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology, vol. 6(1), 83-85. link>
Gao XP, Li BG, Zhou J, Li WW, Zhong SD, Tan WD. 2000. Antitumor activities and induction of apoptosis by triptolide. Natural Product Research and Development, vol. 12, 18-20. link>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1999. A new nor-sesquiterpene from Tripterygium wilfordii. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, vol. 5(3), 268-274. link>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1999. Sesquiterpene alkaloids from Tripterygium hypoglaucum. PHYTOCHEMISTRY, vol. 50(6), 1091-1093. link> doi>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1998. Diterpenoids from Rabdosia lihsienensis. PHYTOCHEMISTRY, vol. 49(8), 2433-2435. link> doi>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1998. Oligostilbenes from Vitis betulifolia. PHYTOCHEMISTRY, vol. 49(5), 1393-1394. link> doi>
Li WW, Li YF, Ding LS, Li CL, Li BG. 1998. Quantitative determination of oligostilbenes in Grape (Vitis L.) species by HPLC. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, vol. 5, 301-303. doi> link>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1998. Oligostilbentes from Vitis davidii. CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS, vol. 9(8), 735-736. link> link>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1998. Flexuosol A, a new tetrastilbene from Vitis flexuosa. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS, vol. 61(5), 646-647. link> doi>
Li WW, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1998. Oligostilbenes from Vitis wilsonii. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, vol. 4(2), 28-31. link>
Li WW, Li BG, Ding LS, Chen YZ. 1998. The chemical constituents of Rabdosia coetsa. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, vol. 40(5), 461-465. link> link>
Li WW, Ding LS, Li BG. 1997. A new phenol glycoside from Ampelopsis chaffanjonii. Natural Product Research and Development, vol. 10(2), 19-20. link>
Liao X, Peng SL, Li WW, Ding LS. 1997. Chemical constituents of Rabdosia adenoloma. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, vol. 3(2), 154-157. link>
Li WW, Ding LS, Li BG. 1996. Studies on the Chemical Constituents of the Root of Boehmeird nivea (L) Gaud. China J Chin Mat Med, vol. 7. link>
Li WW, Ding LS, Li BG, Chen YZ. 1996. Oligostilbenes from Vitis heyneana. PHYTOCHEMISTRY, vol. 42(4), 1163-1165. link> doi> link>

Chapters

Li WW, Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Uche FI. 2015. Potential of phytochemicals and their derivatives in the treatment of ovarian cancer. In Handbook on Ovarian Cancer: Risk Factors, Therapies and Prognosis. Collier BR (Ed.). Nova Science publishers, USA.

Other

Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Richardson A, Li WW. 2019. Synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer agents. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Proceedings (vol. 22, p. 42). MPDI. doi> full text>
Li W, Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Richardson A. Isolation, identification and evaluation of anticancer compounds from unexplored Rutidea parviflora.
Cao P, Yang Y, Uche FI, Hart S, Yuan C, Li W-W. 2018. Modification of metal surfaces using TCM-derived cyclotides: an antibacterial and antibiofilm study. JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE (vol. 24, p. S107). link> doi>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Richardson A, Li W-W. 2017. Identification and evaluation of anticancer compounds from three Nigerian plants used in traditional medicines. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (vol. 139, p. 128). link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, Abed M, Abdullah MI, Drijfhout FP, McCullagh J, Claridge TWD, Richardson A, Li W-W. 2017. Isolation, identification and anti-cancer activity of minor alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata Oliv. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (vol. 139, p. 112). link> doi> full text>
Fadayomi IE, Forsyth N, Li W-W. 2017. Role of sesquiterpene lactones against human ovarian cancer. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (vol. 139, pp. 134-135). link> doi>
Aldulaimi O and Li WW. 2016. Antibacterial effects of the essential oil from flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp. PLANTA MEDICA (vol. 82). link> doi> full text>
Uche FI, Drijfhout F, McCullagh J, Richardson A, Li WW. 2016. Cytotoxicity effects and apoptosis induction by cycleanine and tetrandrine. Planta Med (vol. 81, pp. S1-S381). link> doi> full text>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Ullah I, Lee C, Raman H, Ellerby N, Horrocks P, Li WW. 2015. Anti-Malarial Activities of Margaritaria discoidea and Other Nigerian Medicinal Plants. PSNA. link>
Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Richardson A, Li WW. 2015. Design, Synthesis, Drug-Likeness and Anti-ovarian Cancer Activity of Thymoquinone Analogues. link>
Aldulaimi O, Horrocks P, Li WW. 2015. Antimicrobial activities and chemical compositions of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. in a traditional Chinese medicine formula. Nutrition and Medicine (vol. 204, pp. 497-498). ISSN: 2195-0083. doi> link>
Uche FI, Li WW, Richardson A, Greenhough TJ. 2014. Anticancer activities of cyclotides from Viola yedeonsis Makino (Violaceae). PLANTA MEDICA (vol. 80, p. 818). link>
Uche F, Li WW, Richardson A, Greenhough TJ. 2014. Anti-ovarian cancer activities of alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata olive (Menispermecaea). PLANTA MEDICA (vol. 80, p. 813). link>
Aldulaimi O and Li WW. 2013. Analysis of volatile compounds in phytomedicines using thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Planta Medica: natural products and medicinal plant research (vol. 79, p. PK25). Georg Thieme Verlag. doi> link>
Li WW, Johnson-Ajinwo OR, Siddique MR, Bajana B, Sulé-Suso J, Richardson A. 2013. Anti-cancer thymoquinone from Nigella sativa. Planta Medica: natural products and medicinal plant research (vol. 79, p. SL71). Georg Thieme Verlag. doi> link>
Li WW, Lu S, Bayley H. A Primary Hydrogen-Deuterium Isotope Effect Observed at the Single-molecule Level. link>
Li WW. 2007. Cysteine knot peptides from spider venom activate rather than inhibit the TRPV1 channel.
Li WW and Haehnel W. 2006. Chemical engineering of proteins using small cofactor. JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE (vol. 12, p. 102).
Li W-W and Haehnel W. 2005. Chemical synthesis of electron transfer protein with flavin, quinone and heme. Peptides 2004, Proceedings (pp. 46-47). link>
Li W, Ritter M, Hellwig P, Heinze J, Haehnel W. 2004. De novo design, synthesis and properties of model quinoproteins. Peptide Revolution: Genomics, Proteomics & Therapeutics (pp. 303-304). link>
Li W, Carell T, Haehnell W. 2004. Design and synthesis of electron transfer proteins with flavin, heme and quinone. PEPTIDE REVOLUTION: GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & THERAPEUTICS (pp. 265-266). link>
Li WW, Ritter M, Hellmich P, Heinze J, Haehnel W. 2003. De novo design, synthesis and properties of quinoproteins. BIOPOLYMERS (vol. 71, p. 309). link>
Li WW, Carell T, Haehnel W. 2003. Design and synthesis of electron transfer proteins with flavin, quinone and heme. BIOPOLYMERS (vol. 71, p. 315). link>
Li WW, Sommerhalter M, Lubitz W, Carell T, Haehnel W. De novo design and synthesis of quinoproteins for light induced electron transfer. Journal of Peptide Research (vol. 8, p. L25).
Wang DY, Gao XP, Li WW, Li BG. 2000. Preparation of derivatives of triptolide for use in treatment of cancers.

Funding

The Royal Society

The Royal Society of Chemistry

BBSRC HVCfP network

North Staffordshire Medical Institute

Nigerian ETF

Niger Delta Development Commission

Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund

Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Keele University - Medical Research Council (MRC) Centenary Award

Keele QR GCRF Pump Priming Awards

PhD Students

Current PhD Student

Fadayomi Idowu Eniafe Fadayomi (2016-)

Previous PhD Students:

Rakad Al-Jumaily (PhD, 2014 - 2018)
Fidelia I. Uche (PhD, 2012 -2016)
Okiemute Rosa Johnson-Ajinwo (PhD, 2012-2017)
Omar Aldulaimi (PhD, 2013-2017)

Previous visiting students:

Nawraj Rummun, (visit PhD, University of Mauritius, 2017)
Pan Cao (visit PhD, Wuhan University of Technology, China, 2016-2017)
Sarra Maarfia (visit PhD, Larbi Ben M’Hidi University, Algeria, 2016)
Rima Beesoo (visit PhD, University of Mauritius, 2016)

Awards to PhD Students

Fadayomi Idowu Eniafe Fadayomi, Best poster award, “Role of sesquiterpene lactones against human ovarian cancer”. The 5th International Conference on the Mechanism of Action of Nutraceuticals, 2017, Aberdeen, UK

Okiemute Rosa Johnson-Ajinwo, Best poster award, “Design, synthesis, Drug-likeness and and anti-ovarian cancer activities of thymoquinone analogues”. Annual meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America, 2015, Illinois, USA

Omar Aldulaimi, Best poster award, “Synthesis and antibacterial effects of novel gallic acid derivatives”. 6th APS International PharmSci Conference. 2015, Nottingham, UK

Omar Aldulaimi, BBSRC High Value Chemicals from Plants (HVCfP) network training fund

Informal enquiries regarding PhD or MPhil postgraduate studies in my team can be made by email to w.li@keele.ac.uk prior to the formal application process.

Potential Funding Sources

Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study – developing Commonwealth country citizens.