1. New reactions design based on directed evolution

Natural enzymes only catalyze a small subset of reactions and designing new biocatalyzed reactions remains unexplored. One major focus of our research is hydrogen bond reorganization and cavity expansion, a concise strategy combining rational cavity design, combinatorial active-site saturation test (CAST), and thermostability engineering was designed, that transformed the weakly active enzymes into a variant mutant with superior performance for new reactions, with good catalytic efficiency and selectivity. 

2. Chemoenzymatic total synthesis of bioactive natural products and drug molecules

In our lab, we are interested in exploring the combination of enzyme-catalytic and synthetic organic methods to provide efficient way to important bioactive natural products and drug molecules. 

3. Semi-biomimetic total synthesis 

We are also interested in the practical total synthesis of bioactive molecules with the combination of semi-synthesis and biomimetic total synthesis strategy. We are specifically engaged in the construction of bioactive ergot alkaloids with unanswered questions regarding their chemical and biological properties.