Biography

Zijie Dai earned her BSc in Biochemistry from University College London (UCL), where she cultivated a deep interest in structural biology and protein misfolding diseases. Currently a PhD student in the Thalassinos Lab, Zijie is dedicated to understanding the aggregation mechanisms of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a peptide linked to Type 2 Diabetes.

Her research focuses on the conformational dynamics and early oligomerisation of wild-type hIAPP and its S20G mutant. She employs state-of-the-art methods, including cyclic ion-mobility mass spectrometry and electron-capture dissociation, to examine how sequence variations influence protein structural dynamics, aggregation, and cellular toxicity. Through these investigations, Zijie aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that drive hIAPP aggregation. Zijie collaborates with Waters Corporation to develop next-generation mass spectrometry instrumentation. This work enhances her studies and contributes to the broader field of protein structural analysis.

By integrating cutting-edge techniques and innovative instrumentation, Zijie’s research aspires to provide a clearer understanding of hIAPP aggregation and inform the development of new therapeutic strategies for managing Type 2 Diabetes, bridging fundamental science with translational impact.


Education
MPhi/PhD – University College London
BSc Biochemistry – University College London (2023)

Publications

Dai Z, Ben-Younis A, Vlachaki A, Raleigh D, Thalassinos K. Understanding the
structural dynamics of human islet amyloid polypeptide: Advancements in and
applications of ion-mobility mass spectrometry. Biophysical Chemistry. 2024 Jun
25:107285.