Structural Biologist · Biophysicist

Xin Gao,
PhD

Structural Biophysics | Oncology & Antibody Protein Engineering | AI Protein Tools & MD | SAXS, NMR, SPR & AUC

Integrative structural biologist and biophysicist with deep expertise in drug discovery support, biophysical characterisation, and structural analysis of immune receptors and glycoproteins. Passionate about bridging rigorous science with translational impact.

Xin Gao

About Me

I am an integrative structural biologist and biophysicist with over 6 years of rigorous, hands-on expertise in delivering high-impact drug discovery support through expert biophysical characterisation, strategic project leadership, and stakeholder collaboration.

My work spans oncology, immunology, and therapeutic antibody/nanobody targets, applying a multi-platform biophysical approach (SPR, ITC, SEC-MALS, NMR, SAXS/SANS, AUC) to solve challenging structural and binding problems. I am equally comfortable leading complex projects end-to-end and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

During my time as a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, I led biophysics and bioprocess development for a critical oncology programme, elucidating the conformational dynamics of the KRAS molecular switch using multi-dimensional NMR (HSQC, CPMG, CEST) and developing robust purification protocols for labile membrane-associated signalling proteins.

I believe that good structural biology is as much about communication and collaboration as it is about technique — and I strive to bring both to every project I join.

6+ Years research experience
6 Peer-reviewed publications
7 Students mentored

Research Interests

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Integrative Structural Biology & Biophysical Characterisation

Combining NMR, SAXS/SANS, X-ray crystallography, and computational modelling with quantitative biophysical methods — SPR, ITC, SEC-MALS, AUC, DLS, and thermal shift assays — to reveal protein structure, dynamics, and binding interactions at atomic resolution for drug discovery.

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Immune Receptor Biology & Glycoprotein Analysis

Structural and functional analysis of Fc receptors, complement proteins, and nanobody therapeutics, with a focus on how N-linked glycosylation shapes protein self-association, immune regulation, and therapeutic efficacy across oncology and autoimmune disease targets.

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Drug Discovery Support & KRAS Conformational Dynamics

End-to-end biophysical support for oncology and immunology programmes — from antigen characterisation to therapeutic validation. Includes multi-dimensional NMR (HSQC, CPMG, CEST) investigation of the KRAS molecular switch, providing mechanistic frameworks applicable to Rho/Rac GTPase targets.

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Target Proteins & Disease Areas

Research spanning from rare autoimmune disease to COVID-19 therapeutics and oncology — characterising a diverse range of clinically relevant proteins.

Target Proteins
Complement Factor H C5-Fc Nanobody IgG Fc Receptor (CD64) β2-Glycoprotein I KRAS GTPase Therapeutic Antibodies Rho/Rac GTPases
Disease Areas
Oncology (KRAS) COVID-19 Therapeutics Autoimmune Disease Complement Dysregulation Antiphospholipid Syndrome Immunology
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Computational Biology & AI Protein Tools

Integrating machine learning and molecular simulation with experimental biophysics to accelerate structure-function understanding.

Structure Prediction
AlphaFold 2/3 Diffusion Models Rosetta HADDOCK Docking
Molecular Dynamics
GROMACS NAMD Conformational Ensemble Analysis
Cloud & ML Ops
Google Cloud (Vertex AI) BigQuery Python MLOps Data Pipelines
Data Engineering
ML Dataset Design Ground Truth Curation Model Benchmarking

Publications

Education

2018 – 2023
Doctor of Philosophy — Structural and Molecular Biology
University College London
Thesis: Effect of the N-glycosylation of plasma proteins on their functional mechanism. Explored protein structure, dynamics and function using an integrated biophysical toolkit, with particular focus on post-translational modifications in immune regulation.
2015 – 2016
MSc in Drug Design
University College London
Training in modern drug discovery with emphasis on structure-based and computational approaches.
2011 – 2015
BSc in Molecular Biology
University of Liverpool
Strong foundation in molecular biology and biochemical techniques.

Skills & Techniques

Biophysical Methods

SPR / Biacore ITC SEC-MALS DLS DSF / Thermal Shift Aggregation Analysis

Structural Methods

NMR (HSQC / CPMG / CEST) SAXS / SANS AUC X-ray Crystallography

Biochemistry

Protein Expression (E. coli, Yeast) AKTA Chromatography Complex Purification Glycoprotein Analysis Construct Design

Research & Leadership

Project Leadership Mentorship (7 students) Grant Writing Stakeholder Communication Vendor Management Scientific Writing

Conference Presentations

2025
Poster Presentation
"NMR Insights into KRAS Conformational Dynamics"
UoB Molecular Biodiscovery Forum 2025, November
2021
Poster Presentation
"The N-linked glycans at SCR-17/18 mediate a C-terminal dimerization site in human Factor H — implications for its regulatory function"
International Complement Workshop (ICW) — International Complement Society, May & October
2021
Poster Presentation
"A Dimerization Site at SCR-17/18 in Factor H Clarifies a New Mechanism for Complement Regulatory Control"
The 6th Complement Symposium

Contact

✉️
Email
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ORCID
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Location
England, United Kingdom
© 2026 Xin Gao · Structural Biologist & Biophysicist

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