Quick Summary Wenzhe Li studies dynein, a protein that transmits cargoes through the cell

Specifically, she studies the adaptor proteins dynein uses to function, which are essential for neurological development

After graduation, Li will continue her studies at UC Davis in the BMCDB Graduate Group

Part of the college experience is figuring out what you don’t want to do. Passion, like discovery, is found through trial and error. Biological sciences and psychology senior Wenzhe Li rotated through two labs at UC Davis before finding a muse in cytoplasmic dynein, a motor protein used for intracellular transport.

“Dynein is like the U.S. Postal Service of our cell, but it works a lot better,” said Li, who conducts research in the lab of Assistant Professor Richard McKenney, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. “It works a lot, lot better.”

“Cytoplasmic dynein is a ubiquitous and very complicated molecular motor protein required for a large variety of intracellular movement,” said McKenney. “Defects in dynein motility cause disease of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, so a fundamental understanding of how dynein motors work is of high interest for human health.”

In McKenney’s lab, Li studies the adaptor proteins cytoplasmic dynein uses to ensure its Jill-of-all-trades functionality. Aided by her interest in psychology, Li aims to link cellular and molecular biology processes to mind and behavior. For her work, she was awarded the Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award.

“Working in a lab while taking classes for my two majors is not easy, and sometimes I become overwhelmed by the stress and self-doubt,” said Li. “I am grateful for the recognition I have received for my research, and I am motivated to work even harder as I start my next level of education as a graduate student.”

Crossing the Pacific for UC Davis

Li traces her interest in molecular and cellular biology back to high school. Raised in Shanghai, China she recalled taking an elective in the subject and being awed by an experiment where the class added a fluorescent tag to the bacteria Escherichia coli. The simple experiment illustrated to Li the power of molecular science and technology.

“When I’m doing these experiments, I feel excited from the deepest part of my heart,” she said.

When it came time to explore universities, Li traveled across the Pacific Ocean. Already interested in biology, she explored schools with a breadth of research areas in the life sciences. UC Davis fit the bill.

“When I first came to college, I didn’t know what exact topic in biology I would be interested in,” said Li. “Thankfully, UC Davis has outstanding resources in almost every biological field.”

Curious, Li traversed a few labs. She studied cichlid fin morphology with postdoctoral researcher Samantha Price in Professor Peter Wainwright’s lab, Department of Evolution and Ecology, and worked for the Personality and Self-Knowledge Lab, run by Professor Simine Vazire, Department of Psychology. The Personality and Self-Knowledge Lab aims to gauge how well people perceive themselves and others through interviews.

While neither topic tugged on Li’s research heartstrings, she found herself more and more intrigued by her molecular and cellular biology classes.

“I set out to find a research experience that would allow me to harness this growing interest potential,” she said.

Li attended McKenney’s Road to Research presentation, part of a series hosted by the Biology Academic Success Center that showcases the research journeys of UC Davis faculty.

“It sounded like interesting stuff that I really wanted to explore,” said Li. “So I sent him an email.”

“Wenzhe came to the lab with no formal training and she quickly picked up the molecular biology and biochemistry techniques we utilize for our experiments,” said McKenney. “I’m very impressed with her determination and drive to succeed in the lab.”

In McKenney’s lab, Li studies the adaptor proteins cytoplasmic dynein uses to ensure its Jill-of-all-trades functionality. David Slipher/UC Davis

An eye in the microscopic sky

In McKenney’s Lab, Li combines her training in molecular biology, biochemistry and single-molecule microscopy to investigate cytoplasmic dynein mobility.

“Wenzhe’s project aims to dissect the functions of one of the protein subunits that compose the dynein machine,” said McKenney, noting that Li is creating dynein complexes that lack specific protein molecules and then gauging their functional output.

Li is particularly interested in two dynein adaptor proteins called LIS1 and NudEL/Ndel1, which are involved in central nervous system formation. At the workbench, she can watch how her experiments affect cytoplasmic dynein’s movement along the cell’s roadways, known as microtubules. Like a helicopter covering I-80 traffic, the single-molecule microscopy technique gives scientists a birds-eye, high-resolution view into the molecular dynamics happening below.

Dynein motor proteins (white) move along microtubule filaments (yellow). Illustration by Dan W. Nowakowski/N Molecular Systems, Inc.

Li presented her research findings at the annual UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference.

As a dual major, Li sees connections between biology and psychology. “It’s fascinating because they’re both related and they’re so different from each other,” she said. “The proteins I’m talking about, LIS1 and NudEL, are very important for neuronal migration, which means that it’s very important for neuron development, which means that it’s very important for your brain and your life.”

Preparing for future migrations

Like a molecular letter from the dynein post office, Li already has her next steps mapped out. She’ll continue on at UC Davis as a biochemistry, molecular, cellular and developmental biology Ph.D. student in the fall. Her decision to pursue a Ph.D. degree was influenced by the graduate students and faculty that helped shape her identity as a scientist. Lab skills are one thing, but Li was always awed by how graduate students and faculty keep the “big picture” of an experiment in mind without getting lost in the nitty-gritty details.

“I can get submerged in papers,” said Li. “When I’m doing my experiment, most of the time I talk with my principal investigator and he can give me a really clear direction of the next steps I should take.”

Li wants to cultivate a similar understanding, but she also wants to explore different models for molecular and cellular research.

“It’s very complicated and crowded,” said Li of the cell. “I’m interested in exploring different labs using different model organisms because I find that they are really fascinating.”

With the breadth of model organisms at UC Davis, she’ll have no trouble finding new biological systems to explore come fall 2019.

"I see all the characteristics in her that are required for excellence in this line of work: curiosity, motivation and fearlessness to try new things,” said McKenney. “I have no doubt she will make a stellar graduate student and future leader in the STEM field.”

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