Prof. Yang Hai
Title: Natural product biosynthesis and biocatalysis
Bio:
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Postdoctoral Fellow 07/2016-08/2020
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
Ph.D. in Chemistry 06/2011-06/2016
Peking University Beijing, China
B.S. in Chemistry 08/2007-06/2011
Selected Publications:
Liu S, Batool Z, Hai Y.* (2025) Biosynthesis of the a-D-mannosidase inhibitor (–)-swainsonine. Nat. Chem. Biol. in press
Gao J, Liu D, Nguyen C, McCormick SP, Proctor RH, Luo S, Zou Y, Hai Y.* (2025) Biosynthesis of the central tricyclic skeleton of trichothecene mycotoxins. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 12, 10331–10338
Liu S, Gao J, Zou Y, Hai Y.* (2024) Enzymatic synthesis of unprotected a,b-diamino acids via direct asymmetric Mannich reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146, 29, 20263–20269.
Liu S, Hai Y.* (2023) Chemoenzymatic approaches to izidine alkaloids: an efficient total synthesis of (+)-absouline and laburnamine. ACS Catal. 13, 15725-15729.
Gao J, Liu S, Zhou C, Lara D, Zou Y,* Hai Y.* (2023) A pyridoxal 5’-phosphate-dependent Mannich cyclase. Nat. Catal. 6, 476-486.
Abstract:
Nature generates an extraordinary diversity of structurally complex, bioactive molecules that shape ecological interactions and inspire new therapeutics. To produce these molecules, organisms have evolved enzymes capable of catalyzing remarkable chemical transformations. My research group studies how such natural products are assembled, with two main goals: uncovering new enzymatic chemistry and repurposing these catalysts as new tools for biocatalysis.
In this seminar, I will highlight our recent work on the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoid mycotoxins and izidine alkaloids, which reveal unexpected enzymatic strategies. I will also showcase how we have repurposed biosynthetic enzymes to enable biocatalytic synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules.
Keywords: Natural products, enzyme catalysis
Faculty Host: Prof. Andrew Buller