This research focuses on the design and application of stress-resistant yeast cell factories, establishing design principles for multi-stress resistance and intelligent stress-resistant systems while constructing metabolic network models to guide strain engineering. Thermotolerant yeast strains have been successfully applied to industrial production of bulk chemicals, effectively reducing fermentation energy consumption, and synthetic pathway design methodologies based on these platforms enable efficient biosynthesis of high-value natural products. The work has resulted in over 50 peer-reviewed publications in journals including Nature Communications, Metabolic Engineering, ACS Energy Letters, and Bioresource Technology, along with 8 authorized invention patents, and has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Key R&D Program projects, with engineered strains successfully commercialized through industry technology transfer.

2005.9~2009.7 Bachelor of Bioengineering, Tianjin University

2009.9~2012.7 Master's degree in Biochemistry from Tianjin University

2013.9~2017.7 PhD in Biochemistry from Tianjin University

2012.7~2013.8 Tianjin University Research Assistant

2017.10~2020.11 Postdoctoral Fellow at Beijing Institute of Technology

2020.12~2022.12 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

2023.3 ~ present, Assistant Researcher at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

Anti-stress design and engineering application of industrial microorganisms

High version robust chassis cell design

Microbial synthesis of plant natural products

1. Qin Lei#, Yang Bo#, Huang Rui#, Zhang Haocheng, Li Qiuyang, Li Xinyi, Tan Yingqi, Sun Wentao, Jia Haiyang, Hu Bing, Lv Bo*, Li Chun*. Design of the biosensor-dependent coupling system stabilizes the high-synthesis phenotype of cell factory. Nature Communications 2026, DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-71801-5.

2. Zhang Zhen, Li Wenqiang, Meng Fanze, Jin Yanming, Sun Wentao, Kuang Qina, Ren Shicaho, Liu Wei, Zhang Liang, Qin Lei*, Lv Bo*, Jia Haiyang*, Li Chun*. Discover the Maze-like Pathway for Glabridin Biosynthesis. Nature Communications 2026, 17:2215.

3. Zhang Yapeng, Liu Chenwen, Li Wenqiang, Ma Zhidong, Lv Bo*, Qin Lei*, Li Chun*. Systematic engineering of the sterol synthesis pathway for Saccharomyces cerevisiae promotes the efficient production of β-caryophyllene. Metabolic Engineering 2025, 91:347-355.

4. Zhang Yapeng, Ma Zhidong, Li Wenqiang, Liu Chenwen, Gao Huipeng, Wang Meng, Li Lanpeng, Zhang Quan, Lv Bo*, Qin Lei*, Li Chun*. Dynamic regulation and enhancement of synthetic network for efficient biosynthesis of monoterpenoid α-pinene in yeast cell factory. Bioresource Technology 2025, 12:132064.

5. Sun Jiachen, Gao Ruikui, Yang Zhongxuan, Deng Zefeng, Qin Lei*, Jia Haiyang*, Li Chun*. Construction and application of artificial organelles via protein self-assembly. Chemical Science. 2025, 16(47):22231-22249.

6. Xiang Lin, Sun Wentao, Zhang Siqin, Zhang Haocheng, Lv Bo*, Qin Lei*, Li Chun*. Discovery, Biomanufacture and Derivatization of Licorice Triterpenoids. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 2025, 73(1):4-29.

7. Qin Lei, Ma Dongshi, Lin Guangyuan, Sun Wentao, Li Chun*. Low temperature promotes the production and efflux of terpenoids in yeast. Bioresource Technology 2024, 24:130376.

8. Liu Xia#, Qin Lei#, Yu Jie, Sun Wentao, Xu Jianhong, Li Chun*. Real-time monitoring of subcellular states with genetically encoded redox biosensor system (RBS) in yeast cell factories. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2023, 222:114988.

9. Qin Lei, Liu Xia, Xu Ke, Li Chun*. Mining and design of biosensors for engineering microbial cell factory. Current Opinions in Biotechnology 2022, 75:102694.

10. Lv Xiaodong, Xue Haijie, Qin Lei*, Li Chun*. Transporter engineering in microbial cell factory boosts biomanufacturing capacity. BioDesign Research 2022, 9871087.

11. Gao Xiaopeng, Xu Ke, Ahmad Nadeem, Qin Lei*, Li Chun. Recent advances in engineering of microbial cell factories for intelligent pH regulation and tolerance. Biotechnology Journal 2021, 24:e2100151.

12. Qin Lei, Dong Shuxin, Yu Jie, Ning Xiaoyu, Xu Ke, Zhang Si-Jia, Xu Li, Li Bing-Zhi, Li Jun, Yuan Ying-Jin, Li Chun*. Stress-driven dynamic regulation of multiple tolerance genes improves robustness and productive capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in industrial lignocellulose fermentation. Metabolic Engineering 2020, 61:160-170.

13. Xu Ke^#, Qin Lei^#, Bai Wenxin, Wang Xiaoyan, Li Fan, Ren Shichao, Gao Xiaopeng, Chen Bo, Tong Yi, Li Jun, Li Bing-Zhi, Yuan Ying-Jin, Li Chun*. Multilevel defense system (MDS) relieves multiple stresses for economically boosting ethanol production of industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Energy Letters 2020, 5:572-582.

2024-Present Member of the Youth Scholars Committee for Biochemical Engineering, Chinese Institute of Chemical Engineers

2025-Present Editorial Board Member, *Synthetic Biology* Journal