Ming Xian

About

Ming Xian is the Jesse Houghton Metcalf Professor of Chemistry at Brown University. He received his BS from Nankai University, China, in 1995 and his PhD from Wayne State University in 2003. Following his doctoral studies, he was a DOD postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania in Professor Amos B. Smith, III's laboratory from 2003 to 2006. He began his academic career at Washington State University in 2006, where he was promoted from Assistant Professor to Full Professor by 2015 and was named the first Ralph G. Yount Distinguished Professor in Chemical Biology in 2017. In 2020, he moved to Brown University, where he continues his research. His research focuses on the interface between chemistry and biology, particularly on sulfur-based signaling molecules such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), persulfides (RSSH), and S-nitrosothiols (RSNO). These molecules are significant in various physiological and pathophysiological processes, and his group aims to understand their fundamental chemistry and properties, as well as to develop chemical tools to facilitate their research. His work also includes projects related to synthetic methodology development, bio-orthogonal chemistry, and fluorescent dye/sensor development. Dr. Xian's laboratory provides training in organic synthesis, bioorganic/medicinal chemistry, analytic chemistry, and cell/molecular biology.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Thermodynamics
• Biology
• Composite material
• Physical chemistry
• Materials science
• Anatomy
• Combinatorial chemistry

Selected publications

• Sulfide catabolism ameliorates hypoxic brain injury

  Nature Communications · 2021 · 139 citations

  The mammalian brain is highly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation, yet the mechanism underlying the brain's sensitivity to hypoxia is incompletely understood. Hypoxia induces accumulation of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that inhibits mitochondrial respiration. Here, we show that, in mice, rats, and naturally hypoxia-tolerant ground squirrels, the sensitivity of the brain to hypoxia is inversely related to the levels of sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) and the capacity to catabolize sulfide. Silenci…

  DOI

• Shining a light on SSP4: A comprehensive analysis and biological applications for the detection of sulfane sulfurs

  Redox Biology · 2022 · 53 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  Fluorescent probes are useful tools for the detection of sulfane sulfurs in biological systems. In this work, we report the development of SSP4, a widely used probe generated in our laboratory. We describe its evolution, preparation, and physical/chemical properties. Fluorescence analyses of SSP4 determined its high selectivity and sensitivity to sulfane sulfurs, even with the interfering presence of other species, such as amino acids and metal ions. Protocols for using SSP4 in a relatively quic…

  DOI

• Activity-Based Fluorescent Probes for Reactive Sulfur Species

  Accounts of Chemical Research · 2025-08-12 · 16 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  ConspectusReactive sulfur species (RSS), such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen per/polysulfide (H2Sn, n > 1), hydropersulfides (RSSH), and polysulfides (RSnR, n > 2), are believed to play regulatory roles in redox biology. However, their exact mechanisms of action still need to be clarified. The instability of various RSS under physiological environments and their highly reactive natures pose unique challenges to the research on these species. Considering these challenges, fluorescent probes…

  PublisherDOI

• Phototriggered Hydrogen Persulfide Donors via Hydrosulfide Radical Formation Enhancing the Reactive Sulfur Metabolome in Cells

  Journal of the American Chemical Society · 2024-10-25 · 15 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Hydrogen persulfide (H2S2) is an important sulfur-containing signaling molecule that plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of various organ systems, such as the renal, cardiovascular, liver, and gastrointestinal systems. However, research on H2S2 in biological settings is still challenging due to its instability and high reactivity. Compounds that can controllably release H2S2 (also known as donors) are thus crucial research tools. Currently, available H2S2 donors are still very limited, with…

  PublisherDOI

• Hydrogen Sulfide Deficiency and Therapeutic Targeting in Cardiometabolic HFpEF

  JACC Basic to Translational Science · 2025-08-06 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  S bioavailability may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for HFpEF.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Understanding Opoiod Dependence and Hydrogen Sulfide

  NIH · $408k · 2018–2022

• Mechanistic Chemistry of Reactive Sulfur Species

  NSF · $450k · 2020–2024

• Hydrogen Sulfide Regulation in Cardioprotection

  NIH · $2.3M · 2020–2025

Frequent coauthors

• Shi Xu

  91 shared

• Meg Shieh

  Providence College

  72 shared

• Wei Chen

  53 shared

• Xiang Ni

  China Pharmaceutical University

  43 shared

• Chung‐Min Park

  Gangneung–Wonju National University

  42 shared

• Peng George Wang

  39 shared

• Amos B. Smith

  University of Pennsylvania

  38 shared

• Eizo Marutani

  36 shared

Labs

• Ming Xian LabPI

  Postdoctoral Associates & Graduate Students

Awards & honors

• Ralph G. Yount Distinguished Professor in Chemical Biology (…

Similar researchers at Brown University

• Shouheng Sunh-193
• Lai-Sheng Wangh-168
• Peter M. Weberh-54