Zhen Yang

Bio: Zhen Yang is an academic researcher from Peking University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Total synthesis & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 61, co-authored 392 publications receiving 13199 citations. Previous affiliations of Zhen Yang include Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center & Wuhan University.

Total synthesis of taxol

Abstract: Taxol, a substance originally isolated from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) more than two decades ago, has recently been approved for the clinical treatment of cancer patients. Hailed as having provided one of the most significant advances in cancer therapy, this molecule exerts its anticancer activity by inhibiting mitosis through enhancement of the polymerization of tubulin and consequent stabilization of microtubules. The scarcity of taxol and the ecological impact of harvesting it have prompted extension searches for alternative sources including semisynthesis, cellular culture production and chemical synthesis. The latter has been attempted for almost two decades, but these attempts have been thwarted by the magnitude of the synthetic challenge. Here we report the total synthesis of taxol by a convergent strategy, which opens a chemical pathway for the production of both the natural product itself and a variety of designed taxoids.

Organopalladium(IV) chemistry

Abstract: Although the chemistry of Pd(0), Pd(I) and Pd(II) is well established, high oxidation state Pd(IV) complexes are less well-known. This situation has highly changed in recent years. Many well-defined Pd(IV) complexes has been isolated and characterized, providing evidence for a series of proposed Pd(II)/Pd(IV) catalytic reactions. A deep understanding of the behavior of Pd(IV) complexes could lead to the design and development of novel reactions that could not be accessed by traditional Pd(0)/Pd(II) chemistry. This critical review describes the stoichiometric reactions of Pd(IV) complexes and discusses their potential mechanism in catalytic reactions (137 references).

Epidermis Microstructure Inspired Graphene Pressure Sensor with Random Distributed Spinosum for High Sensitivity and Large Linearity.

Abstract: Recently, wearable pressure sensors have attracted tremendous attention because of their potential applications in monitoring physiological signals for human healthcare. Sensitivity and linearity are the two most essential parameters for pressure sensors. Although various designed micro/nanostructure morphologies have been introduced, the trade-off between sensitivity and linearity has not been well balanced. Human skin, which contains force receptors in a reticular layer, has a high sensitivity even for large external stimuli. Herein, inspired by the skin epidermis with high-performance force sensing, we have proposed a special surface morphology with spinosum microstructure of random distribution via the combination of an abrasive paper template and reduced graphene oxide. The sensitivity of the graphene pressure sensor with random distribution spinosum (RDS) microstructure is as high as 25.1 kPa–1 in a wide linearity range of 0–2.6 kPa. Our pressure sensor exhibits superior comprehensive properties com...

Graphene Textile Strain Sensor with Negative Resistance Variation for Human Motion Detection

Abstract: Recently, wearable devices have been attracting significantly increased interest in human motion detection and human physiological signal monitoring. Currently, it is still a great challenge to fab...

Synthesis of epothilones A and B in solid and solution phase

Abstract: Epothilones A and B, two compounds that have been recently isolated from myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum strain 90, have generated intense interest among chemists, biologists and clinicians owing to the structural complexity, unusual mechanism of interaction with microtubules and anticancer potential of these molecules. Like taxol, they exhibit cytotoxicity against tumour cells by inducing microtubule assembly and stabilization, even in taxol-resistant cell lines. Following the structural elucidation of these molecules by X-ray crystallography in 1996, several syntheses of epothilones A and B have been reported, indicative of the potential importance of these molecules in the cancer field. Here we report the first solid-phase synthesis of epothilone A, the total synthesis of epothilone B, and the generation of a small epothilone library. The solid-phase synthesis applied here to epothilone A could open up new possibilities in natural-product synthesis and, together with solution-phase synthesis of other epothilones, paves the way for the generation of large combinatorial libraries of these important molecules for biological screening.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

The Development of L2X2RuCHR Olefin Metathesis Catalysts: An Organometallic Success Story

Abstract: In recent years, the olefin metathesis reaction has attracted widespread attention as a versatile carbon−carbon bond-forming method. Many new applications have become possible because of major advances in catalyst design. State-of-the-art ruthenium catalysts are not only highly active but also compatible with most functional groups and easy to use. This Account traces the ideas and discoveries that were instrumental in the development of these catalysts, with particular emphasis on (PCy3)2Cl2RuCHPh and its derivatives. The discussion includes an analysis of trends in catalyst activity, a description of catalysts coordinated with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, and an overview of ongoing work to improve the activity, stability, and selectivity of this family of L2X2RuCHR complexes.