The research of Yuchi’s group centers on the structure and function of ion channels. Ion channels are the second largest and the largest target class for approved drugs and insecticides, respectively. Drugs targeting ion channels are used to treat arrhythmia, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, and more, while insecticides targeting them are used to control a wide range of agricultural pests and disease vectors. The ultimate goal of our group is to understand the physiological and pathological/resistant roles of ion channels at the molecular level. Our major research interests include:

1. Structural and Chemical Biology of Ion Channels

We combine cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and chemical biology approaches to resolve high-resolution structures of ryanodine receptors, sodium channels, and related ion channels, elucidating the molecular principles of gating, allostery, and ligand modulation.

2. Therapeutics and Insecticides Targeting Ion Channels

Guided by structural and chemical insights, we design and optimize small molecules, peptides, and natural products as modulators of RyRs and Navs, with the dual goals of developing novel therapeutics for channelopathies and next-generation insecticides with enhanced selectivity and resistance management.

3. Integration of AI, Automated Protein Design, and Synthetic Biology Platforms

We develop closed-loop systems that integrate machine learning, automated protein design, and synthetic biology, enabling rapid enzyme reprogramming, functional optimization, and mechanistic discovery across ion channels and complex enzymes.

Electron Microscopy

Structural model of ryanodine receptor bound with diamide