An interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Yao Zhongping, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, specialises in mass spectrometry (MS), analytical chemistry, chemical biology and multi-omics. The team develops and applies MS-based approaches to address fundamental and applied problems across various fields, including chemistry, biology, medicine, food science and information science.
Current research encompasses:
Molecular Data Storage
The team is pioneering the development of amino acid sequences for data storage, offering high density and long storage time compared to conventional and emerging methods. By assigning different amino acids to represent various bit combinations, they can translate bit sequences of digital information into amino acid sequences, which can be synthesised as peptides or expressed as proteins for storage.
During data retrieval, the data-bearing peptides/proteins are sequenced, and the acquired amino acid sequences are converted back into digital combinations based on prior assignments, ultimately decoding the original data.
The team has successfully stored text and audio information in peptides and retrieved them via LC-MS/MS sequencing. They are also exploring data storage with proteins, including storage in organisms such as bacteria and plants. The research links data storage with peptide synthesis, protein engineering and proteomics, creating new possibilities for these fields.
Conformational Dynamics of Proteins and Protein Interactions
Prof. Yao’s team employs techniques such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange MS, native MS, ion mobility MS, and molecular dynamics simulations to study the conformational dynamics of proteins and their interactions, which are challenging to obtain with conventional methods.
Their current projects include investigating the conformational dynamics of β-lactamases and their interactions with antibiotics and inhibitors. Additionally, they are studying SARS-CoV-2 proteins and their interactions with ACE-2, antibodies and inhibitors.
Molecular Assembly and Recognition
MS is rapid, sensitive, and it provides a gas-phase environment free from the interferences of solvents or other species. This makes it an ideal tool for understanding the intrinsic properties of molecular assembly and recognition.
Prof. Yao utilises tandem MS, ion mobility MS, and molecular modeling to investigate how biomolecules assemble, particularly in coordination with metal ions. His study also explores how chiral recognition of fundamental molecules is induced and propagated, as well as the development of new methods for differentiating isomers, including the chiral recognition of drugs.
Mechanistic Study and Biomarker Discovery in Diseases and Biological Processes
Prof. Yao’s team applies proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics approaches to investigate biological and clinical samples, aiming to understand fundamental biological processes and discover disease biomarkers. For example, in collaboration with Prof. Yusong Guo’s research team in cell biology at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, they have utilised MS-based proteomics to systematically reveal how cargo proteins are sorted into vesicles for transport.
Food Safety
The team develops and applies MS techniques for the authentication of edible oils, wines, and herbal medicines. The ongoing efforts in quality assurance for edible oils include developing a MALDI-MS-based method for rapid analysis and screening of gutter oils, creating a spectral database for classifying edible oils, and establishing methods for the rapid quantitation of blended oils. The team has also collaborated with the HKSAR Government to formulate guidelines for using frying oil in Hong Kong, which have been announced for implementation.
