Liang Xue
PhD, Clemson University, 2004
BS, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 1996
My fascination with chemistry began in middle school when my teacher introduced me to the remarkable story of the periodic table. In college, I became attracted to organic molecules and the principles governing their reactions. During graduate school, I entered the field of bioorganic chemistry, exploring how carefully designed organic molecules can interact with DNA and RNA to modulate biological processes.
Since I joined the Department of Chemistry at Pacific, I have regularly taught General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Nucleic Acid Chemistry (an upper-division chemistry/biochemistry course). In General Chemistry, I emphasize the foundational nature of the course material and strive to present concepts in clear, layperson’s language drawn from my own long journey in the subject. I prioritize the “big picture,” helping students understand why each topic matters and connects, and where they will be applied, before diving into technical details.
Organic chemistry, a fast-paced and often challenging course required for most pre-health students, demands a different approach. I condense and reorganize textbook material into clear, accessible explanations, supplemented with interactive classroom activities. When introducing new concepts, I routinely highlight the most common errors I have observed across twenty years of teaching. I also align the course closely with standardized tests, as preparation for these exams is a primary goal for many students in the class.
Nucleic Acid Chemistry is a specialized upper-division course I developed based on my research expertise. It examines the chemistry of DNA and RNA, covers methods for their laboratory synthesis and explores cutting-edge biotechnology that harnesses nucleic acids for therapeutic purposes. I also incorporate a hands-on laboratory component in which students complete a small research project involving the synthesis of DNA using an automated synthesizer.
For me, both learning and teaching chemistry remain lifelong pursuits. Through my knowledge and enthusiasm, I aim to transform the study of chemistry at every level into an engaging, meaningful, smooth and memorable experience for my students for years to come.
My research investigates the interactions between small molecules (potential drugs) and two key non-canonical DNA secondary structures (triplex DNA and G-quadruplex DNA).
Triplex DNA has attracted significant attention as a platform for gene regulation. In this approach, triplex-forming oligonucleotides bind sequence-specifically to target duplex DNA within the major groove, enabling precise control of DNA replication and transcription with high specificity and minimal off-target effects. In my lab, we have developed several classes of highly potent fluorogenic ligands that selectively recognize and bind triplex DNA, producing a strong blue fluorescence response for sensitive detection even in the presence of duplex and G-quadruplex DNA. These ligands also promote ligand-mediated triplex formation and exhibit excellent inhibitory effects on enzymatic activities via this mechanism.
G-quadruplex DNA structures form in guanine-rich regions, including many oncogene promoter sequences (e.g., MYC, BCL2) and the telomeric regions at chromosome ends. Stabilization of three G-quadruplexes by small molecules can affect oncogene transcription and inhibit telomerase activity, demonstrated in our work and by others, thereby suppressing cancer cell proliferation and offering a promising anticancer strategy.
Our research sits in the intersection of organic synthesis (design and preparation of novel ligands), biophysical and bioanalytical techniques (e.g., fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry), and biochemical assays (e.g., enzyme inhibition, quantitative PCR and western blotting). Students in the lab gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge instrumentation and modern laboratory techniques across these multidisciplinary areas, preparing them for advanced work in chemical biology and drug discovery.
