Xianyang FANG     Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

2002      Wuhan University, China／B.S.

2008      The Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China／Ph.D.

2009-2015  National Cancer Institute, NIH, USA／Postdoctoral Fellow

2015-present School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, China／Assistant Professor

Research interest

Our research focuses on RNA integrative structural biology. We are interested in the development of site-specific and segment-selective labeling strategies for large RNAs and integrative protocols for structure determination of large RNAs and RNA-protein complexes. By using the strategies and protocols developed in the lab, we are interested in the structure, conformational dynamics, interactions and function of non-coding RNAs involved in important human diseases and key biological processes using combined techniques including small angle X-ray/neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance  (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, single molecule FRET, single-molecule nanopore sensing as well as computational modeling.

Selected publications

1. Burkhard Endeward#, Yanping Hu#, Guangcan Bai, Guoquan Liu, Thomas F. Prisner*, Xianyang Fang*. Long-range distance determination in fully deuterated RNA with pulsed EPR spectroscopy. Biophysical Journal 2022, 121(1):37-43.

2. Xiaolin Niu#, Ruirui Sun#, Zhifeng Chen, Yirong Yao, Xiaobing Zuo, Chunlai Chen*, Xianyang Fang*. Pseudoknot length modulates the folding, conformational dynamics and robustness of Xrn1 resistance of flaviviral xrRNAs. Nature Communications 2021, 12(1): 6417.

3. Junfeng Ma, Xiang Cheng, Zhonghe Xu, Yikan Zhang, Jaione Valle, Shilong Fan, Xiaobing Zuo, Iñigo Lasa, Xianyang Fang*. Structural mechanism for modulation of functional amyloid and biofilm formation by Staphylococcal Bap protein switch. The EMBO Journal 2021, 40(14): e107500. (Research Highlight on Nature Chemical Biology 2021, 17: 839)

4. Xiaolin Niu#, Qiuhan Liu#, Zhonghe Xu#, Zhifeng Chen, Linghui Xu, Lilei Xu, Jinghong Li*, Xianyang Fang*. Molecular mechanisms underlying the mechanical anisotropy of flaviviral exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs). Nature Communications 2020, 11(1): 5496 (News and Views on Nature Chemical Biology 2021, 17: 933-934)

5. Yan Wang, Venkatesan Kathiresan, Yaoyi Chen, Yanping Hu, Wei Jiang, Guangcan Bai, Guoquan Liu, Peter Z. Qin*, Xianyang Fang*. Posttranscriptional site-directed spin labeling of large RNAs with an unnatural base pair system under non-denaturing conditions. Chemical Science 2020, 11: 9655-9664.

6. Yan Wang, Yaoyi Chen, Yanping Hu, Xianyang Fang. Site-specific covalent labeling of large RNAs with nanoparticles empowered by expanded genetic alphabet transcription. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2020, 117(37): 22823-22832.

7. Yupeng Zhang#, Yikan Zhang#, Zhong-Yu Liu#，Meng-Li Cheng#, Junfeng Ma, Yan Wang, Cheng-Feng Qin*, Xianyang Fang*. Long non-coding subgenomic flavivirus RNAs have extended 3D structures and are flexible in solution. EMBO Reports 2019, 20(11): e47016.

8. Xianyang Fang*, Malgorzata Michnicka, Yikan Zhang, Yun-Xing Wang, Edward P. Nikonowicz*. Capture and Release of tRNA by the T-Loop Receptor in the Function of the T-Box Riboswitch. Biochemistry 2017, 56(28): 3549-3558.

9. Xianyang Fang, Jason R. Stagno,Yuba Bh.andari,Xiaobing Zuo,Yun-Xing Wang. Small-angle X-ray scattering: a bridge between RNA secondary structures and three-dimensional topological structures. Current Opinion in Structural Biology 2015, 30: 147-160.

10. Xianyang Fang#, Jinbu Wang#, Ina P. O’Carroll#, Michelle Mitchell, Xiaobing Zuo, Yi Wang, Ping Yu, Yu Liu, Jason W. Rausch, Marzena A. Dyba, Jørgen Kjems, Charles D. Schwieters, Soenke Seifert, Randall E. Winans, Norman R. Watts, Stephen J. Stahl, Paul T. Wingfield, R. Andrew Byrd, Stuart F. J. Le Grice, Alan Rein*,Yun-Xing Wang*. An unusual topological structure of the HIV-1 rev response element, Cell 2013, 155(3): 594-605.

( #co-first author，*corresponding author)

Contact information

Tel: 86-010-62771071

E-mail： fangxy@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

Address: Room B1004, Medical Science Bldg