CAO Yu
Professor, Principal Investigator
Research direction：Mechanism for transmembrane process; macromolecule drug development
E-mail：yu.cao@@shsmu.edu.cn
Lab: http://www.shipm.cn/jyjz_web/html/jyjz_English/jyjz_eg_cy_sysjj/List/index.htm
Research Interests
Dr. Cao focuses on the structural and functional studies on transmembrane biological processes, as well as the molecular pathology of diseases and conditions associated with the abnormalities in those processes. His research interest includes the across-membrane transportation of energy molecules such as glucose and glycerol, the in-membrane synthesis and metabolism of lipids, and the discovery of membrane proteins as drug target. The edge-cutting technologies in the fields of cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry are orchestrated in Cao Lab into efforts to dissect the key biological activities at atom-level, reveal the molecular mechanism underlying important diseases, and develop novel strategies for precise intervention.
Education and Work Experience
2017.8-present, Principal Investigator, Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
2014.10-2017.8, Principal Investigator, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2013.8-2014.9, Scientist II, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute
2011.8-2013.7, Postdoc, Pfizer Global Research and Development
2005.8-2011.7, Postdoc, Columbia University Medical Center
2004, Ph. D in Biochemistry, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
1999, B. Sc., Nankai University
Selected Publications
Q. Zhang, D. Yao, B. Rao, L. Jian, Y. Chen, K. Hu, Y. Xia, S. Li, Y. Shen, A. Qin, J. Zhao, L. Zhou, M. Lei, X.-C. Jiang, Y. Cao, The structural basis for the phospholipid remodeling by lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3. Nature Communications, (2021) 12: 6869.
B. Rao, S. Li, D. Yao, Q. Wang, Y. Xia, Y. Jia, Y. Shen, Y. Cao, The cryo-EM structure of an ERAD protein channel formed by tetrameric human Derlin-1. Science Advances, (2021) 7(10): eabe8591.
L. Zhang, D. Yao, Y. Xia, F. Zhou, Q. Zhang, Q. Wang, A. Qin, J. Zhao, D. Li, Y. Li, L. Zhou, Y. Cao, The structural basis for glycerol permeation by human AQP7. Science Bulletin, (2021) 66 (15): 1550-1558.
Fu Zhou, Deqiang Yao, Bing Rao, Li Zhang, Wang Nie, Yan Zou, Jie Zhao, Yu Cao, Crystal structure of a bacterial homolog to human lysosomal transporter, spinster, Science Bulletin, 2019-9-30, 64(18): 1310-1317.
Yu Cao (Ed.), Advances in Membrane Proteins Part II, 2019, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd
Yu Cao (Ed.), Advances in Membrane Proteins Part I, 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
Yang Chen and Yu Cao, The sphingomyelin synthase family: proteins, diseases and inhibitors. Biological Chemistry, 2017, 398(12):1319-1325 (review article)
Yu Cao, et al., Gating of the TrkH ion channel by its associated RCK protein, TrkA, Nature, 2013, 496:317-22
Yu Cao, et al., Crystal structure of a phosphorylation-coupled saccharide transporter. Nature, 2011 473:50-55
Yu Cao, et al., Crystal structure of a potassium ion transporter, TrkH, Nature, 2011, 471:336-341
