Prof. Daqi YU
余大啟教授
Research Links
ORCID: 0000-0002-8014-5802
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=82Mm_t4AAAAJ&hl=en
Bio
Dr. Yu Daqi is a biophysicist specializing in the structural dynamics of macromolecular machines—nature’s nanoscale engines, especially for those nucleoprotein and membrane protein complexes—and their intricate ties to biological function. By harnessing integrative approaches like cryo-electron microscopy for high-resolution conformations, molecular modeling and simulations to probe conformational landscapes, and AI-driven predictive tools for seamless integration and design, I unravel how these machines orchestrate life’s molecular ballet. These foundational works not only illuminate fundamental biophysics but also fuel therapeutic innovation.
Inspired by CUHK’s vibrant translational culture, which bridges cutting-edge discovery with real-world impact, Dr. Yu is also developing structure-based engineering of these machines to target human diseases.
Research Interest
- Conformational dynamics of macromolecular machines
- Physics-based machine learning in structure biology
- Structure-based molecular machine medicine
Selected Publications
Li, N.+, Gao, Y.+, Zhang, Y.+, Yu, D.+, Lin, J., Feng, J., Li, J., Xu, Z., Zhang, Y., Dang, S., Zhou, K., Liu, Y., Li, X., Tye, B., Li, Q., Gao, N. & Zhai, Y. Parental histone transfer caught at the replication fork. Nature 627, 890, doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07152-2 (2024).
Qin, Y.+, Yu, D.+, Wu, D.+, Dong, J.+, Li, W., Ye, C., Cheung, K. Zhang, Y., Xu, Y., Wang, Y. Shi, Y. & Dang, S. Cryo-EM structure of TMEM63C suggests it functions as a monomer. Nature Communications 14, 7265, doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42956-2 (2023).
Xu, Z.+, Feng, J.+, Yu, D.+, Huo, Y., Ma, X., Lam, W., Liu, Z., Li, X., Ishibashi, T., Dang, S. & Zhai, Y. Synergism between CMG helicase and leading strand DNA polymerase at replication fork. Nature Communications 14, 5849, doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41506-0 (2023).
Li, J.+, Dong, J.+, Wang, W.+, Yu, D.+, Fan, X., Lee, C., Lam, W., Alary, N., Yang, Y., Zhao, Q., Chen, C., Tye, B., Dang, S., & Zhai, Y. The Human Pre-replication Complex is an Open Complex. Cell 186, 98, doi:10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.008 (2023).
Lin, J.+, Wu, Y.+, Tian, G.+, Yu, D.+, Yang, E., Lam, W., Liu, Z., Jing, Y., Dang, S., Bao, X., Wong, J., Zhai, Y., & Li, X. Menin “reads” H3K79me2 mark in a nucleosomal context Science 379, 717, doi:10.1126/science.adc9318 (2023).
Yu, D.+, Ma, X.+, Tu, Y. & Lai, L. Both piston-like and rotational motions are present in bacterial chemoreceptor signaling. Scientific Reports 5, 8640, doi:10.1038/srep08640 (2015).
Yu, D., Tu, Y. & Lai, L. Molecular interactions for chemoreceptor assemblies. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica 30, 1347, doi:10.3866/PKU.WHXB201404301 (2024).
Yu, D. & Chen, M. Rigid multibody molecular dynamics algorithm in canonical ensemble. Acta Physica Sinica 55, 1628, doi:10.7498/aps.55.1628 (2006).
Yu, D., Chen, M. & Han, X. Structure analysis methods for crystalline solids and supercooled liquids. Physical Review E 72, 051202 doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.72.051202 (2005).