LiLab Research
Research interest
Xueming Li lab, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, is engaged in the theoretical and methodological research of electron cryo-microscopy (CryoEM) and its application in structural biology and cell biology to address important biological questions. We focus on developing and applying novel image processing and experimental technologies to advance CryoEM for routine high-resolution structure analysis of biological structures. Currently, we aim to develop advanced experimental and image processing and analysis technologies, as well as artificial intelligence technologies, to reveal nanometer and even atomic resolution structures of tissues and cells. This will help us understand the essence of life activities at the atomic or molecular level and promote the application of cryo-electron microscopy technology in fields such as drug design and medical care.
In particular, we are continuously contemplating what the future of cryo-electron microscopy should look like and how to overcome the numerous existing bottlenecks to help people better understand the structural basis of life activities.
Current Researches
- Cellular CryoET
- Methods to 3D reconstruct whole cells
- Methods to identify and determine molecular structures in cells, specifically soluble proteins, membrane proteins, and fibers
- Methods to push the resolution of cryoET to atomic resolution
- Biological applications, especially chromatin and chloroplasts
- Future CryoEM
- New principles and optical frameworks for future cryo-electron microscopes
- Potential imaging techniques, such as ptychography
- AI and Database for cryoEM/ET
Past Researches
- CryoFIB milling and localization
- CryoFIB milling of crystals, tissues, and cells
- Cellular secondary-electron imaging (CSEI)
- MicroED
- Data collection
- Diffraction on low-end electron microscopes for ultra-high resolution
- Single-particle reconstruction
- THUNDER and Particle filter
- Motion correction