The main research focuses of the group are: 1. Discovery of small molecules that could target specific nucleic acids; 2. Construction of novel gene delivery systems; 3. Artificial receptors for carbohydrate recognition; 4. Functional peptide studies. Our research methodologies span from organic synthesis, peptide synthesis, molecular recognition to cell biology studies. 

Utilizing peptidic scaffolds and combining chemical modification strategies, we have developed several highly efficient peptide-based vectors for gene delivery and constructed highly selective artificial receptors for cyclic dinucleotide recognition and carbohydrate recognition.

• Faculty Prize for Best PhD Thesis (2016, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany)

• TEDA-KaiLaiYing Award (2010, Nankai University, China)

M. Li, R. Puschmann, A, Herdlitschka, D. Fiedler, H. Wennemers; Delivery of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate to the cell nucleus with a proline-based cell penetrating peptide; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 15586 (hot paper).

M. Li, M. R. Stojković, M. Ehlers, E. Zellermann, I. Piantanida, C. Schmuck; Use of an Octapeptide–Guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole Conjugate for the Formation of a Supramolecular β‐Helix that Self‐Assembles into pH‐Responsive Fibers; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 13015.

M. Li, M. Ehlers, S. Schlesiger, E. Zellermann, S. K. Knauer, C. Schmuck; Incorporation of a Non‐Natural Arginine Analogue into a Cyclic Peptide Leads to Formation of Positively Charged Nanofibers Capable of Gene Transfection; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 598.

M. Li, S. Schlesiger, S. K. Knauer, C. Schmuck; A Tailor‐Made Specific Anion‐Binding Motif in the Side Chain Transforms a Tetrapeptide into an Efficient Vector for Gene Delivery; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 2984.

M. Li, S. Schlesiger, S. K. Knauer, C. Schmuck; A dipeptide with enhanced anion binding affinity enables cell uptake and protein delivery; Org. Biomol. Chem. 2018, 16, 2312.