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headshot of Minfei Su

Minfei Su

Assistant Professor

Chemistry
SN 1048

Background

Research in the Su laboratory focuses on applying cryo-electron microscopy, combined with biochemical and cellular studies, to uncover structural and biochemical insights into the function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). As the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome, GPCRs play critical roles in various physiological processes and are implicated in numerous diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, central nervous system disorders and cancer. Research in the Su laboratory is particularly dedicated to exploring ligand specificity and ligand-biased signaling in GPCRs.

Accepting BCCB graduate students

Select Publications

  • Su M*, Wang J*, Xiang G, Do HN, Levitz J, Miao Y, Huang XY. "Structural basis of agonist specificity of α1A-adrenergic receptor." Nature Communications 2023; 14(1):4819. *Equal contribution.
  • Su M*, Paknejad N*, Zhu L, Wang J, Do HN, Miao Y, Liu W, Hite RK, Huang XY. "Structures of β1-adrenergic receptor in complex with Gs and ligands of different efficacies." Nature Communications 2022; 13(1), 4095. *Equal contribution.
  • Alegre KO*, Paknejad N*, Su M*, Lou JS, Huang J, Jordan KD, Eng ET, Meyerson JR, Hite RK, Huang XY. "Structural basis and mechanism of activation of two different families of G proteins by the same GPCR." Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2021; 28(11):936-944. *Equal contribution.
  • Su M*, Zhu L*, Zhang Y*, Paknejad N*, Dey R, Huang J, Lee MY, Williams D, Jordan KD, Eng ET, Ernst OP, Meyerson JR, Hite RK, Walz T, Liu W, Huang XY. "Structural basis of the activation of heterotrimeric Gs-protein by isoproterenol-bound β1-adrenergic receptor." Molecular Cell 2020; 80(1), 59-71. *Equal contribution.


Education

  • PhD, North Dakota State University

Research Interests

  • Biochemistry and structural biology
  • Structural basis and mechanism of GPCR signaling
  • GPCR drug discovery
  • Cryo-electron microscopy

Teaching Interests

  • BCHM-507: Advanced Biochemistry
  • CHEM-483M/583M: Membrane Proteins
  • BCHM-426: Biochemistry Laboratory

Awards

  • The American Heart Association Career Development Award, 2023