Peng, Rui, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Tel: 0512-65880947 (O)Email:rpeng@suda.edu.cn

Research Interests:

Molecular Biology, RNA Biology, and Nanobiotechnology.

As a molecular biologist, in addition to my interests in the control of gene expression related to human genetic disorders as well as the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing (constitutive and alternative splicing), I am also interested in studying nanomaterials from a biologist's viewpoint, such as the biological effects of various nanomaterials (in particular, carbon-based nanomaterials) and their applications in biosensing.My current research activities are focused on the understanding and control of the nano/bio and bio/bio interfaces for unveiling the molecular pathogenesis of related diseases, as well as the development of corresponding treatments/applications.

Research Projects:

1.Biological effects and applications of nanomaterials: their interactions with biomolecules (proteins, including enzymes, splicing factors, cellular factors, and serum factors) as well as their effects on cell morphology, viability, proliferation, and differentiation;

2.Biosensors for monitoring bio-interactions;

3.Molecular pathogenesis: disease-associated aberrant pre-mRNA splicing, genetic disorders and their gene therapy.

Selected Publications:

15 publications in high-impact journals including ACS Nano,J. Biol. Chem.,RNA,RNABiol.,FASEB J,Mol. Cell Biol. Funding from NSFC, MOE, MOST, and SIP.

1.Jin L, Yang K, Yao K, Zhang S, Tao H, Lee ST, Liu Z*,Peng R*. 2012. Functionalized Graphene Oxide in Enzyme Engineering: A Selective Modulator for Enzyme Activity and Thermostability.ACS Nano(DOI: 10.1021/nn300217z)

2.Xu J, He X, Jin L, Jiang L, Kang Z*, Zhou Y*,Peng R*, Lee ST. 2011. A protein-based electrochemical method for label-free characterization of sequence-specific protein–DNA interactions.Electrochimica Acta, 56:5759-5765.

3.Liu Z,Peng R. 2010. Inorganic nanomaterials for tumor angiogenesis imaging.Eur J Nucl Med Mol I,37(Suppl 1): S147-163.

4.SolisAS^§,Peng R^§, Crawford JB, Phillips JA 3rd, Patton JG. 2008. Growth hormone deficiency and splicing fidelity: two SR proteins, ASF/SF2 and SC35, act antagonistically.J Biol Chem.283:23619-23626 (^§co-first author).

5.Peng R, Hawkins I, Link AJ, Patton JG. 2006.The splicing factor PSF is part of a large complex that assembles in the absence of pre-mRNA and contains all five snRNPs.RNA Biol.3(2):69-76.

6.Peng R, Thompson AB, Patton JG. 2003. The splicing factor PSF is part of a large complex that links transcription and splicing.FASEB J.17, A1306 Part 2 Suppl. S.

7.Peng R, Dye BT, Perez I, Barnard DC, Thompson AB, Patton JG. 2002. PSF and p54nrb bind a conserved stem in U5 snRNA.RNA. 8:1334-47.