1. Cross-species precise clearance of senescent cells and regeneration mechanisms
2. Design and synthesis of photo-controlled / enzyme-responsive smart molecular senolytics for rejuvenation
3. Chemical biology and regenerative medicine
4. Cross-species modeling and intervention assessment for aging-related diseases

Ph.D. in Chemistry

City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Aug 2017–Aug 2020

Supervisor: Prof. Chun-Sing Lee

• 2026–Present: Associate Research Fellow, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 2022.08–2025.08: Postdoctoral Fellow, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital
• 2020.10–2022.01: Postdoctoral Fellow, City University of Hong Kong

Dr. CUI published 36 SCI-indexed papers in journals including Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Angewandte Chemie, ACS Nano, and Exploration, with total citations exceeding 3100 and an H-index of 30.

1. X. Cui†, F. Fang†, H. Chen†, J. Zhang*, S. Li*, C. S. Lee*. Materials Horizons, 2024, 12, 1002–1007. (First Author)
2. X. Cui, X. Li, C. Peng, Y. Qiu, Y. Shi, Y. Liu, J. F. Fei. ACS Nano, 2023, 20776–20803. (Sole First Author)
3. X. Cui†, Z. Zhang†, Y. Yang, S. Li*, C. S. Lee*. Exploration, 2022, 2, 20210264. (First Author)
4. L. Song†, L. Q. Wang†, Z. T. He†, X. Cui†, C. Peng, Y. Liu, J. F. Fei. Small Methods, 2025, 2401056. (Co-First Author)
5. X. Cui†, G. Lu†, S. Dong, S. Li*, Y. Xiao, J. Zhang*, Y. Liu, X. Meng, F. Li*, C. S. Lee*. Materials Horizons, 2021, 571–576. (First Author)
6. X. Cui, Q. Zhao, Z. Huang, Y. Xiao, Y. Wan, S. Li*, C. S. Lee*. Small, 2020, 2004551. (First Author)
7. X. Cui†, G. Lu†, F. Fang, Y. Xiong, S. Tian, Y. Wan, Y. Xiao, D. Shen, H. Wang, J. Zhang*, C. S. Lee*. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2021, 13, 30274. (First Author)
8. J. Chelora, Y. Liang, W.-C. Wei, X. Cui*, Y. Xiao, Y. Wan, Z. Huang, S. Tian, S. Li, Y.-H. Huang, K.-T. Wong*, C. S. Lee*. Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 8012. (Corresponding Author)

• 2025 Aging Biology Conference, Wenzhou
• 2023 Developmental Biology Conference，Huhehaote
• 2018 Materials Research Society (MRS) Meeting, Boston, USA

Collaboration Opportunities

We are open to interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge chemical biology, materials science, regenerative medicine, and aging research. Our lab aims to develop tools for precise senolysis and to understand how regeneration and aging are regulated in various contexts.

Potential collaboration areas may include:

1. Smart molecular probe design and synthesis

Photo-controlled, enzyme-responsive, and dual-lock senolytics; activatable fluorescent probes for senescent cell detection and imaging.

2.Cross-species aging and regeneration models

Axolotl, mouse, and rat models; comparative studies of senescent cell function in regeneration-competent and regeneration-limited species.

3.Spatial and single-cell omics

Single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, metabolomics, and multi-omics data integration for aging and regeneration research.

4.Aging-related disease intervention

Fibrosis, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular aging, CKD/AKI, radiation-induced tissue injury, and cancer treatment resistance

5.Translational and industrial collaboration

Preclinical evaluation of senolytics, drug delivery systems, micro-needle platforms, and AI-assisted screening of anti-aging compounds.

Joint grant applications and student exchange

We welcome opportunities to co-apply for national and international research grants, co-supervise graduate students, and host visiting scholars.

We are also interested in sharing animal models, clinical samples, and data resources with partners who share similar research goals. If you are interested in working with us, please feel free to contact us to discuss potential projects.