Dr. Zhang completed her undergraduate studies at Nankai University, Tianjin, China in 1995. She received her Ph.D. in 2001 from the Johns Hopkins University working with Professor Kenneth D. Karlin. Prior to joining RPI as an assistant professor in 2004, she was a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Professor Stephen J. Lippard at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Research in our group lies in the area of bioinorganic chemistry, the application of inorganic chemistry to biologically relevant problems. The focus of our research involves two main areas: 1) the investigation into how copper ions regulate tumor angiogenesis and the development of metal-based angiosuppressive agents for cancer treatment; 2) the development of receptors and sensors for environmentally and biologically relevant anions. Multidisciplinary approaches will be utilized, including various biochemical techniques and extensive inorganic and organic synthesis.

Role of Copper Ion in Tumor Angiogenesis

The development of a vascular network to supply a tumor with nutrients is crucial for tumor growth. Tumor angiogenesis has been a major focus of cancer research because anti-angiogenic agents offer great potential for cancer treatment. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels through endothelial cell proliferation from pre-existing vasculature. It is well documented that copper is an important regulator of angiogenesis. However, it is unclear how copper controls angiogenic growth. The goal of our research is to investigate how copper participates in the angiogenic process. We will investigate the biochemistry of copper-containing biomolecules using synthetic and biochemical approaches. Also, inorganic model complexes will be developed as potential anigosuppressive agents for cancer treatment.

Design and Synthesis of Anion Receptors and Sensors

Anion recognition chemistry has experienced a rapid growth in the past two decades due to its biological relevance and industrial application for catalysis. In addition, pollutant anions such as nitrates, phosphates, sulfates and more recently perchlorates have been linked to the destruction of the environment and to long-term health-risks. The main objective of our research is to develop receptors and sensors for environmentally and biologically relevant anions with the initial focus on the perchlorate anion. To achieve these research goals, two approaches will be utilized: a) synthesis and screening of a dynamic combinatorial compound library; b) the rational design of transition metal complexes capable of collaborative anion recognition through metal centers and ligand constructs.

Christiana Xin Zhang and Stephen J. Lippard. "New metal complexes as potential therapeutics" Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2003, 7, 481-489.

Jason Shearer, Christiana Xin Zhang, Lanying Q. Hatcher, and Kenneth D. Karlin. "Distinguishing Rate-Limiting Electron versus H-Atom Transfers in Cu2(02)-Mediated Oxidative N-Dealkylations: Application of Inter- versus Intramolecular Kinetic Isotope Effects" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 12670-12671.

Christiana Xin Zhang, Hong-Chang Liang, Eun-il Kim. Jason Shearer, Matthew E. Relton, Eunsuk Kim, Susan Kaderli, Chris D. Incarvito, Andreas D. Zuberbuhler, Arnie L. Rheigold, Kenneth D. Karlin. "Tuning Copper-Dioxygen Reactivity and Exogenous Substrate Oxidations via Alterations in Ligand Electronics" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 634-635.

Christiana Xin Zhang, Eun-il Kim, Kenneth D. Karlin, Susan Kaderli, Yorck-Michael Neuhold, Miguel Costa, and Andreas D. Zuberbuhler." Copper(I)-Dioxygen Reactivity of [(L )Cu (I)]+ (L = tris(2-pyridymethyl)amine ): Kinetic/Thermodynamic and Spectroscopic Studies Concerning the Formation Of Cu-O2 and Cu2-02 Adducts as a Function of Solvent Medium and 4-pyridyl Ligand Substituent Variations" Inorg. Chem., 2003, 42, 1807-1824.

Christiana Xin Zhang, Hong-Chang Liang, Kristi J. Humphreys and Kenneth D. Karlin. "Copper-Dioxygen Complexes and Their Roles in Biomimetic Oxidation Reactions" In Advances in Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen by Metal Complexes, Laszlo I. Simandi, Editor, Kluwer Academic Publisher, 2003, 79-121.

Mark J. Henson, Mark A. Vance, Christiana Xin Zhang, Hong-Chang Liang, Kristi J. Humphreys and Kenneth D. Karlin. "Copper-Dioxygen Complexes and Their Roles in Biomimetic Oxidation Reactions" In Advances in Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen by Metal Complexes, Laszlo I. Simandi, Editor, Kluwer Academic Publisher, 2003, 79-121.

Mark J. Henson, Mark A. Vance, Christiana Xin Zhang, Hong-Chang Liang, Kenneth D. Karlin, Edward I. Solomon. “Resonance Raman investigation of equatorial ligand donor effects on the Cu2022+ core in end-on and side-on ?-peroxo-dicopper(II) and bis-?-oxo- dicopper(III) complexes". J. Am Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 5185-5192.