HR job title
- Associate Professor
- Contact Info
- Websites
Chen, Zhilei Associate Professor
Positions
- Associate Professor, Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine
The Chen Medicinal Protein Lab aims to accelerate the discovery, development and clinical translation of protein therapeutics through innovative protein engineering research. We believe that better medicine enables a higher quality of living, and protein engineers are charged to create the better medicine for today and tomorrow. We are particularly interested in the creation and engineering of affordable protein therapeutics to prevent and treat infectious diseases and cancer.
- Overview
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- Research
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- Works By Students
- Background
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Overview
Publications
selected publications
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academic article
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Zeng, Y. u., Woolley, M., Chockalingam, K., Thomas, B., Arora, S., Hook, M., & Chen, Z.
(2023).
Click display: a rapid and efficient in vitro protein display method for directed evolution. 51(16), e89-e89.
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Chonira, V., Kwon, Y. D., Gorman, J., Case, J. B., Ku, Z., Simeon, R., ... Chen, Z.
(2023).
A potent and broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by DARPins. 19(3), 284-291.
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Zeng, Y. u., Jiang, M., Robinson, S., Peng, Z., Chonira, V., Simeon, R., ... Chen, Z.
(2022).
A Multi-Specific DARPin Potently Neutralizes Shiga Toxin 2 via Simultaneous Modulation of Both Toxin Subunits. Bioengineering.
9(10), 511-511.
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Simeon, R. A., Zeng, Y. u., Chonira, V., Aguirre, A. M., Lasagna, M., Baloh, M., ... Chen, Z.
(2022).
Correction to: Protease-stable DARPins as promising oral therapeutics. Protein Engineering Design and Selection.
35, gzac003.
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Woolley, M., & Chen, Z.
(2022).
A PCR-free rapid protocol for one-pot construction of highly diverse genetic libraries. PLoS ONE.
17(10), e0276338-e0276338.
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Simeon, R. A., Zeng, Y. u., Chonira, V., Aguirre, A. M., Lasagna, M., Baloh, M., ... Chen, Z.
(2021).
Protease-stable DARPins as promising oral therapeutics. Protein Engineering Design and Selection.
34, gzab028.
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Chockalingam, K., Peng, Z., Vuong, C. N., Berghman, L. R., & Chen, Z.
(2020).
Golden Gate assembly with a bi-directional promoter (GBid): A simple, scalable method for phage display Fab library creation. Scientific Reports.
10(1), 2888.
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Heinzelman, P., Low, A., Simeon, R., Wright, G. A., & Chen, Z.
(2019).
De Novo Isolation & Affinity Maturation of yeast-displayed Virion-binding human fibronectin domains by flow cytometric screening against Virions. Journal of Biological Engineering.
13(1), 76.
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Peng, Z., Simeon, R., Mitchell, S. B., Zhang, J., Feng, H., & Chen, Z.
(2019).
Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) Neutralizers of TcdB from Clostridium difficile Ribotype 027. mSphere.
4(5), e00596-e00519.
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Simeon, R., Jiang, M., Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Yu, H., Zhang, Y., Meng, R., ... Chen, Z.
(2019).
Selection and characterization of ultrahigh potency designed ankyrin repeat protein inhibitors of C. difficile toxin B. PLOS Biology.
17(6), e3000311-e3000311.
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Kasaraneni, N., Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Wright, G. A., & Chen, Z.
(2018).
A simple strategy for retargeting lentiviral vectors to desired cell types via a disulfide-bond-forming protein-peptide pair. Scientific Reports.
8(1), 10990.
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Simeon, R., & Chen, Z.
(2018).
In vitro-engineered non-antibody protein therapeutics. Protein and Cell.
9(1), 3-14.
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Kasaraneni, N., Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Wright, G., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Retargeting Lentiviruses via SpyCatcher-SpyTag Chemistry for Gene Delivery into Specific Cell Types. mBio.
8(6), e01860-e01817.
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Lee, G., Jaiswal, M., Gaharwar, A. K., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Versatile Click-Protein Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications. CHEMISTRYSELECT.
2(31), 10310-10315.
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Guan, D., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Affinity Purification of Proteins in Tag-Free Form: Split Intein-Mediated Ultrarapid Purification (SIRP). Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.).
1495, 1-12.
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Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Wright, G., Roger, S., Mnch, R. C., Buchholz, C. J., & Chen, Z.
(2015).
In vitro incorporation of a cell-binding protein to a lentiviral vector using an engineered split intein enables targeted delivery of genetic cargo. Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
112(12), 2611-2617.
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Guan, D., Kurra, Y., Liu, W., & Chen, Z.
(2015).
A click chemistry approach to site-specific immobilization of a small laccase enables efficient direct electron transfer in a biocathode. Chemical Communications.
51(13), 2522-2525.
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Chen, Z., & Rice, C. M.
(2015).
Repurposing an old drug: A low-cost allergy medication provides new hope for hepatitis C patients. HEPATOLOGY.
62(6), 1911-1913.
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Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Bobardt, M., Moncla, B., Mankowski, M. K., Ptak, R. G., Gallay, P., & Chen, Z.
(2014).
Evaluation of PD 404,182 as an anti-HIV and anti-herpes simplex virus microbicide. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
58(2), 687-697.
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Ramirez, M. A., & Chen, Z.
(2014).
Synthesis of an intein-mediated artificial protein hydrogel. Journal of Visualized Experiments.
e51202.
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Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Pcheur, E., & Chen, Z.
(2014).
Benzhydrylpiperazine compounds inhibit cholesterol-dependent cellular entry of hepatitis C virus. ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH.
109(1), 141-148.
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Li, Y., Gao, Y., Jin, H., Shan, L., Liang, X., Xu, X., ... Zhang, W.
(2014).
Chemical constituents of Abies nukiangensis. Phytochemistry: the international journal of plant chemistry, plant biochemistry and molecular biology.
106, 116-123.
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Simeon, R. L., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
A screen for genetic suppressor elements of hepatitis C virus identifies a supercharged protein inhibitor of viral replication. PLoS ONE.
8(12), e84022-e84022.
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Simeon, R. L., Chamoun, A. M., McMillin, T., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Discovery and characterization of a new cell-penetrating protein. ACS Chemical Biology.
8(12), 2678-2687.
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Guan, D., Ramirez, M., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Split intein mediated ultra-rapid purification of tagless protein (SIRP). Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
110(9), 2471-2481.
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Guan, D., Ramirez, M., Shao, L., Jacobsen, D., Barrera, I., Lutkenhaus, J., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Two-component protein hydrogels assembled using an engineered disulfide-forming protein-ligand pair. Biomacromolecules.
14(8), 2909-2916.
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Chamoun-Emanuelli, A. M., Pecheur, E., Simeon, R. L., Huang, D. a., Cremer, P. S., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Phenothiazines inhibit hepatitis C virus entry, likely by increasing the fluidity of cholesterol-rich membranes. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
57(6), 2571-2581.
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Ramirez, M., Guan, D., Ugaz, V., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Intein-triggered artificial protein hydrogels that support the immobilization of bioactive proteins. Journal of the American Chemical Society.
135(14), 5290-5293.
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Ramirez, M., Valdes, N., Guan, D., & Chen, Z.
(2013).
Engineering split intein DnaE from Nostoc punctiforme for rapid protein purification. Protein Engineering Design and Selection.
26(3), 215-223.
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Zhao, Z., Ramachandran, P., Kim, T., Chen, Z., Jeya, M., & Lee, J.
(2013).
Characterization of an acid-tolerant -1,4-glucosidase from Fusarium oxysporum and its potential as an animal feed additive. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.
97(23), 10003-10011.
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Singh, R. K., Tiwari, M. K., Kim, I., Chen, Z., & Lee, J.
(2012).
Probing the role of sigma interaction and energetics in the catalytic efficiency of endo-1,4--xylanase. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
78(24), 8817-8821.
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Chamoun, A. M., Chockalingam, K., Bobardt, M., Simeon, R., Chang, J., Gallay, P., & Chen, Z.
(2012).
PD 404,182 is a virocidal small molecule that disrupts hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus. 56(2), 672-681.
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Chockalingam, K., Simeon, R. L., Rice, C. M., & Chen, Z.
(2010).
A cell protection screen reveals potent inhibitors of multiple stages of the hepatitis C virus life cycle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
107(8), 3764-3769.
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Chen, Z., Simeon, R. L., Chockalingam, K., & Rice, C. M.
(2010).
Creation and characterization of a cell-death reporter cell line for hepatitis C virus infection. ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH.
86(2), 220-223.
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Chen, Z., Wen, F., Sun, N., & Zhao, H.
(2009).
Directed evolution of homing endonuclease I-SceI with altered sequence specificity. Protein Engineering Design and Selection.
22(4), 249-256.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
A highly sensitive selection method for directed evolution of homing endonucleases. 33(18), e154.
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Chockalingam, K., Chen, Z., Katzenellenbogen, J. A., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Directed evolution of specific receptor-ligand pairs for use in the creation of gene switches. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
102(16), 5691-5696.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
A highly sensitive selection method for directed evolution of homing endonucleases. Nucleic Acids Research (NAR).
33(18), e154-e154.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Rapid creation of a novel protein function by in vitro coevolution. Journal of Molecular Biology.
348(5), 1273-1282.
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Chen, Z., Katzenellenbogen, B. S., Katzenellenbogen, J. A., & Zhao, H.
(2004).
Directed evolution of human estrogen receptor variants with significantly enhanced androgen specificity and affinity. Journal of Biological Chemistry.
279(32), 33855-33864.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2003).
A highly efficient and sensitive screening method for trans-activation activity of estrogen receptors. Gene.
306(1-2), 127-134.
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Zhao, H., Chockalingam, K., & Chen, Z.
(2002).
Directed evolution of enzymes and pathways for industrial biocatalysis. Current Opinion in Biotechnology.
13(2), 104-110.
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Guan, D., & Chen, Z.
Challenges and recent advances in affinity purification of tag-free proteins. Biotechnology Letters.
36(7), 1391-1406.
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Thomas, B., Chockalingam, K., & Chen, Z.
Methods for Engineering Binders to Multi-Pass Membrane Proteins. Bioengineering.
10(12), 1351-1351.
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Zeng, Y. u., Woolley, M., Chockalingam, K., Thomas, B., Arora, S., Hook, M., & Chen, Z.
(2023).
Click display: a rapid and efficient in vitro protein display method for directed evolution. 51(16), e89-e89.
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chapter
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Guan, D., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Affinity Purification of Proteins in Tag-Free Form: Split Intein-Mediated Ultrarapid Purification (SIRP). Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.).
SPLIT INTEINS: METHODS AND PROTOCOLS.
(pp. 1-12).
Springer Nature.
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Ramirez, M. A., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Split-Intein Triggered Protein Hydrogels. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.).
SPLIT INTEINS: METHODS AND PROTOCOLS.
(pp. 161-171).
Springer Nature.
-
Guan, D., & Chen, Z.
(2017).
Affinity Purification of Proteins in Tag-Free Form: Split Intein-Mediated Ultrarapid Purification (SIRP). Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.).
SPLIT INTEINS: METHODS AND PROTOCOLS.
(pp. 1-12).
Springer Nature.
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conference paper
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Directed evolution of homing endonuclease with altered DNA sequence specificity. 8060.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Directed evolution of homing endonuclease with novel DNA sequence specificity. 8724.
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Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Directed evolution of proteins for biomedical application. 3334.
-
Chen, Z., & Zhao, H.
(2005).
Directed evolution of homing endonuclease with altered DNA sequence specificity. 8060.
Research
principal investigator on
- A Novel Technology for Engineering Binders to Membrane Proteins awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2020 - 2022
- Artificial Ecology Sink As Prophylaxis Against Viral Infection awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2017 - 2022
- Internal Toxin Neutralizer for Treating STEC-infection awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2019 - 2021
- Broadly Neutralizing Non-Antibody Protein For Treating Clostridium Difficile Infection awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2016 - 2019
- CAREER: Intein-Mediated Protein Polymer Hydrogels as General Scaffolds for Immobilization of Bioactive Proteins awarded by National Science Foundation - (Arlington, Virginia, United States) 2014 - 2018
- A platform technology for the isolation of anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies from chickens awarded by Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas - (Austin, Texas, United States) 2016
- A Self-Assemblying Protein Hydrogel Technology for Enzyme Incorporation onto Electrodes in Biofuel Cells awarded by United States Air Force - (Arlington, Virginia, United States) 2012 - 2015
investigator on
Teaching
teaching activities
- BICH491 Hnr-research Instructor
- BIOT684 Direct Prof Internship: In-ab Instructor
- BIOT684 Directed Prof Internship Instructor
- BIOT685 Directed Studies Instructor
- BMEN491 Hnr-research Instructor
- CHEN485 Directed Studies Instructor
- CHEN491 Hnr-research Instructor
- CHEN691 Research Instructor
- GENE491 Hnr-research Instructor
- GENE691 Research Instructor
- MSCI691 Research Credit: Medical Sci Instructor
Works By Students
chaired theses and dissertations
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Chamoun Emanuelli, Ana M (2014-08). Characterization of Viral Entry Inhibitors.
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Klemashevich, Cory (2013-05). Dihydropyridines Inhibit Translation and Early Replication of Hepatitis C Virus.
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Ramirez, Miguel Angel (2013-11). Intein Engineering for Protien Hydrogel Synthesis and Protein Purification.
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Simeon, Rudo Lyndon (2013-12). Selecting a path against Hepatitis C Virus.
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign - (Urbana, Illinois, United States) 2006
- B.S. in Physics, East China Normal University - (Shanghai, China) 2000
- Rockefeller University - (New York, New York, United States) , Postdoctoral Training 2008
awards and honors
- Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, conferred by National Science Foundation - (Arlington, Virginia, United States), 2014
- TEES Select Young Faculty Award, conferred by Texas A&M University - (College Station, Texas, United States), 2013
- Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, conferred by National Science Foundation - (Arlington, Virginia, United States), 2012
- US Air Force Young Investigator, conferred by Air Force Research Laboratory - (Dayton, Ohio, United States), 2012
Contact
first name
- Zhilei
has last name
- Chen
mailing address
-
Texas A&M Health Science Center
Microbial Pathogenesis And Immunology
1114 TAMUS
College Station, TX 77843-1114
USA
Other
- zchen4@tamu.edu