Li Ming（李明）

Biochemist specializing in membrane protein biogenesis and translational regulation. My doctoral research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of Arrest Peptides (APs) and their homeostatic regulation of the YidC/Sec membrane insertion machinery in Rhodococcus erythropolis. I aim to provide foundational scientific insights for drug discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Research Interests

Membrane Protein Biogenesis; Translational Arrest Peptides;

YidC/Sec Membrane Insertion Pathway; Protein Folding and Membrane Protein Biogenesis; Biochemistry.

Published

Inoue, M., Aono, R., Ochi, A., Izu, Y., Majumder, T. R., Li, M., & Mihara, H.* (2025). SECIS element variability and its role in selenocysteine versus cysteine utilization in SelD enzymes. Metallomics Research, 4(3), reg26-reg36 (Article MR202408).[Full Text - J-STAGE] 

Abstracts / Extended Abstracts

Li, M & Chiba, S. (2026). Mechanism of Homeostatic Regulation of the Protein Membrane Insertion Machinery Mediated by the ApcA Arrest Peptide in Rhodococcus erythropolis. #DiscoverBMB 2026 (ASBMB Annual Meeting), National Harbor, MD. (Abstracted in Journal of Biological Chemistry).

Li, M. & Chiba, S.(2026). Mechanism of homeostatic regulation of the protein membrane insertion machinery by an arrest peptide [Poster & abstract].

Poster Day 2025, Kyoto University, Japan. IMRaD, 2, pp. 2–3.

https://www.i-arrc.k.kyoto-u.ac.jp/english/openevents#frame-868

Posters & Presentations

Li, M. & Chiba, S.(2026). Mechanism of Homeostatic Regulation of the Protein Membrane Insertion Machinery Mediated by the ApcA Arrest Peptide in Rhodococcus erythropolis. ASBMB Annual Meeting (#DiscoverBMB), National Harbor, MD, USA. (Poster #97).

Li, M. & Chiba, S.(2026). Mechanism of Homeostatic Regulation of the Protein Membrane Insertion Machinery by an Arrest Peptide. Gordon Research Conference (GRC): Chemistry and Biology of Peptides, Ventura, CA, USA.(Accepted; unable to attend due to visa restrictions).

Li, M. (2025). Mechanism of Homeostatic Regulation of the Protein Membrane Insertion Machinery by an Arrest Peptide. Poster Day 2025, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. IMRaD, 2, pp. 2–3.

Li, M. & Chiba, S. (2025). Mechanism of Homeostatic Regulation of the Protein Membrane Insertion Machinery by Actinomycete Arrest Peptide. LiMe Retreat 2025 (Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University), Awaji Yumebutai, Hyogo, Japan. (Poster #P-30) .

Li, M., Hizukuri, Y., & Akiyama, Y. (2023). Exploring Substrate-specific Recognition Mechanisms of RseP by Photo-crosslinking Approaches. RseP Research Workshop, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan. (Oral Presentation).

Honors, Leadership & Public Service

Honors & Academic Memberships

Research Fellow, Graduate Education Support Organization (DoGS), Kyoto University, 2023—2027

Student Member, The Japanese Biochemical Society, 2025—Present.

Student Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)2026—Present.

Public Service & Community Engagement (Japan)

Kyoto Prefecture Honorary Friendship Ambassador, 2024—Present.「link」 

Youth Guidance Committee Member, Kyoto City, 2025—Present.

Executive Board Member, Nakasekiden-cho Neighborhood Association, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 2025—Present.

Vice Chair, Lumiere Demachiyanagi Neighborhood Association, 2025.

Children’s Committee Member, Lumiere Demachiyanagi Neighborhood Association, 2025.