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 German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to investigate secondary metabolites and enzymes from plant cell cultures at the University of Muenster, 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. He took up a lectureship in November 2011 and was promoted to senior lecturer in May 2020 in the School of Pharmacy and 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
MRes Bioengineering Course Director for MRes Bioengineering programme (please hyperlink to https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/postgraduatestudy/postgraduatecourses/mresbioengineering/ PHA 40196 Research Project (Module Co-ordinator) MSc Cell & Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Engineering MTE 40015 Project – Medical. Technology (dissertation) (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-40190 Development of Biopharmaceutics PHA 40120 Stage 4 Research project, supervising student projects Undergraduate programme - Pharmaceutical science, Technology and Business PHA-30025 - Pharmaceutical Science Research Project Past teaching: LSC 40017 Introduction to Scientific Research (Module Co-ordinator) 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
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In vivo efficacy and metabolism of the antimalarial cycleanine and improved in vitro antiplasmodial activity of novel semisynthetic analogues. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. link> doi> link> full text>2020.
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Terminalia bentzoë, a Mascarene Endemic Plant, Inhibits Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Growth In Vitro via G0/G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest. Pharmaceuticals, 303, vol. 13(10). doi> link> full text>2020.
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Coupling Plant-Derived Cyclotides to Metal Surfaces: An Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Study. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 19(3). link> doi> full text>2018.
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The synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 1219-1222, vol. 28(7). link> doi> full text>2018.
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A characterization of the antimalarial activity of the bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms. J Ethnopharmacol, 221-225, vol. 198. link> doi> full text>2017.
Full Publications Listshow
Journal Articles
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Methyl gallate – Rich fraction of Syzygium coriaceum leaf extract induced cancer cell cytotoxicity via oxidative stress. South African Journal of Botany, 149-158, vol. 137. doi> link> full text>2021.
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In vivo efficacy and metabolism of the antimalarial cycleanine and improved in vitro antiplasmodial activity of novel semisynthetic analogues. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. link> doi> link> full text>2020.
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Terminalia bentzoë, a Mascarene Endemic Plant, Inhibits Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Growth In Vitro via G0/G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest. Pharmaceuticals, 303, vol. 13(10). doi> link> full text>2020.
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Discovery, synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of phenolic compounds from Cylicodiscus gabunensis. BMC Complement Altern Med, 183, vol. 19(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
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Palmatine from Unexplored Rutidea parviflora Showed Cytotoxicity and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells. Toxins, 237, vol. 11(4). doi> link> full text>2019.
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Mauritian Endemic Medicinal Plant Extracts Induce G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Growth Inhibition of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro. Acta Naturae, 81-90, vol. 11(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
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Synthesis of (aminoalkyl)cycleanine analogues: cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. doi> link> full text>2018.
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Coupling Plant-Derived Cyclotides to Metal Surfaces: An Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Study. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 19(3). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Investigation of the antibiofilm capacity of peptide-modified stainless steel. R Soc Open Sci, 172165, vol. 5(3). link> doi> full text>2018.
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The synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 1219-1222, vol. 28(7). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Isochondodendrine and 2 '-norcocsuline: additional alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. RSC ADVANCES, 44154-44161, vol. 7(70). link> doi> full text>2017.
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Advanced glycation products' levels and mechanical properties of vaginal tissue in pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 78-85, vol. 214. link> doi> full text>2017.
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Antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating activities of tropical marine sponge extracts. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol, 81-90, vol. 196. link> doi> full text>2017.
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A characterization of the antimalarial activity of the bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms. J Ethnopharmacol, 221-225, vol. 198. link> doi> full text>2017.
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Cytotoxicity Effects and Apoptosis Induction by Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata. Phytotherapy Research, 1533-1539, vol. 30(9). doi> link> full text>2016.
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Fingerprint of Tiger Balm® By Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Pharmacogn. J., 230-233, vol. 8(3). doi> link> full text>2016.
- 2015.
- 2014.
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Single molecule detection of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine through chemical modification and nanopore analysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 4350-4355, vol. 52(16). doi>2013.
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Tuning the cavity of cyclodextrins: altered sugar adaptors in protein pores. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1987-2001, vol. 133. doi>2011.
- 2010.
- 2006.
- 2006.
- 2006.
- 2005.
- 2005.
- 2005.
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The effect of Vitis oligostilbenes on scavenging oxygen radicals. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology, 83-85, vol. 6(1). link>2000.
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Antitumor activities and induction of apoptosis by triptolide. Natural Product Research and Development, 18-20, vol. 12. link>2000.
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A new nor-sesquiterpene from Tripterygium wilfordii. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, 268-274, vol. 5(3). link>1999.
- 1999.
- 1998.
- 1998.
- 1998.
- 1998.
- 1998.
- 1998.
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Oligostilbenes from Vitis wilsonii. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, 28-31, vol. 4(2). link>1998.
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A new phenol glycoside from Ampelopsis chaffanjonii. Natural Product Research and Development, 19-20, vol. 10(2). link>1997.
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Chemical constituents of Rabdosia adenoloma. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology, 154-157, vol. 3(2). link>1997.
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Studies on the Chemical Constituents of the Root of Boehmeird nivea (L) Gaud. China J Chin Mat Med, vol. 7. link>1996.
- 1996.
Chapters
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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.2015.
Other
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Synthesis and evaluation of thymoquinone analogues as anti-ovarian cancer agents. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Proceedings (p. 42, vol. 22). MPDI. doi> full text>2019.
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Isolation, identification and evaluation of anticancer compounds from unexplored Rutidea parviflora.
- 2018.
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Identification and evaluation of anticancer compounds from three Nigerian plants used in traditional medicines. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (p. 128, vol. 139). link> doi> full text>2017.
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Isolation, identification and anti-cancer activity of minor alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata Oliv. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (p. 112, vol. 139). link> doi> full text>2017.
- 2017.
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Antibacterial effects of the essential oil from flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp. PLANTA MEDICA (vol. 82). link> doi> full text>2016.
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Cytotoxicity effects and apoptosis induction by cycleanine and tetrandrine. Planta Med (pp. S1-S381, vol. 81). link> doi> full text>2016.
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Anti-Malarial Activities of Margaritaria discoidea and Other Nigerian Medicinal Plants. PSNA. link>2015.
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Design, Synthesis, Drug-Likeness and Anti-ovarian Cancer Activity of Thymoquinone Analogues. link>2015.
- 2015.
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Anti-ovarian cancer activities of alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata olive (Menispermecaea). PLANTA MEDICA (p. 813, vol. 80). link>2014.
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Anticancer activities of cyclotides from Viola yedeonsis Makino (Violaceae). PLANTA MEDICA (p. 818, vol. 80). link>2014.
- 2013.
- 2013.
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A Primary Hydrogen-Deuterium Isotope Effect Observed at the Single-molecule Level. link>
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Cysteine knot peptides from spider venom activate rather than inhibit the TRPV1 channel.2007.
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Chemical engineering of proteins using small cofactor. JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE (p. 102, vol. 12).2006.
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Chemical synthesis of electron transfer protein with flavin, quinone and heme. Peptides 2004, Proceedings (pp. 46-47). link>2005.
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De novo design, synthesis and properties of model quinoproteins. PEPTIDE REVOLUTION: GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & THERAPEUTICS (pp. 303-304). link>2004.
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Design and synthesis of electron transfer proteins with flavin, heme and quinone. PEPTIDE REVOLUTION: GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & THERAPEUTICS (pp. 265-266). link>2004.
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De novo design, synthesis and properties of quinoproteins. BIOPOLYMERS (p. 309, vol. 71). link>2003.
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Design and synthesis of electron transfer proteins with flavin, quinone and heme. BIOPOLYMERS (p. 315, vol. 71). link>2003.
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De novo design and synthesis of quinoproteins for light induced electron transfer. Journal of Peptide Research (p. L25, vol. 8).
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Preparation of derivatives of triptolide for use in treatment of cancers.2000.
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.


