Yan Li, Ph.D.

Research Expertise

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 2002
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University (Beijing, China), 1995

• Stem cell technology and engineering
• Tissue engineering and biomaterials
• Cell processing and bioprocessing

Google Scholar

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

1. R Jeske, X Yuan, Q Fu, BA Bunnell, TM Logan, Y Li*. In Vitro Culture Expansion Shifts Immune Phenotype of Human Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021, 12: 621744.
2. M Marzano, MJ Bou-Dargham, AS Cone, S York, S Helsper, SC Grant, DG Meckes, Q-X Sang, Y Li*. Biogenesis of Extracellular Vesicles Produced from Human Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Spheroids Exposed to Iron Oxides. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. 2021, 7(3); 1111-1122.
3. X Yuan, Y Liu, BM Bijonowski, A-C Tsai, Q Fu, TM Logan, T Ma, Y Li*. NAD+/NADH Redox Alterations Reconfigure Metabolism and Rejuvenate Senescent Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro. Communications Biology. 2020, 3; 774.
4. BM Bijonowski, Q Fu, X Yuan, J Irianto, Y Li*, SC Grant, T Ma. Aggregation-induced Integrated Stress Response Rejuvenates Stemness of Culture-Expanded Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2020, 117: 3136-3149.
5. L Song, X Yuan, Z Jones, C Vied, Y Miao, M Marzano, T Hua, Q-X Sang, J Guan, T Ma, Y Zhou, Y Li*. Functionalization of brain region-specific spheroids with isogenic microglia-like cells. Scientific Reports. 2019, 9, 11055.
6. L Song, X Yuan, Z Jones, K Griffin, Y Zhou, T Ma, Y Li*. Assembly of human stem cell-derived cortical spheroids and vascular spheroids to model 3-D brain-like tissues. Scientific Reports. 2019, 9, 5977. (Top 100 papers)
7. L Song, Y Yan, M Marzano, Y Li*. Studying heterotypic cell-cell interactions in human brain using pluripotent stem cell models for neurodegeneration. Cells. 2019, 8, 299.
8. Y Yan, J Bejoy, M Marzano, Y Li*. The use of pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids to study extracellular matrix development during neural degeneration. Cells. 2019, 8, 242.
9. Y Yan #., J Bejoy #., J Xia, K Griffin, J Guan, Y Li*. Cell population balance of cardiovascular spheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Scientific Reports. 2019, 9, 1295.
10. J Bejoy, Z Wang, B Bijonowski, M Yang, T Ma, Q-X Sang, Y Li*. Differential effects of heparin and hyaluronic acid on neural patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering. 2018, 4; 4354-4366 (selected for Supplementary Journal Cover).
11. J Bejoy, L Song, Z Wang, Q-X Sang, Y Zhou & Y Li*. Neuroprotective Activities of Heparin, Heparinase III, and Hyaluronic Acid on the Aβ42-treated Forebrain Spheroids Derived from Human Stem Cells. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering. 2018, 4, 2922-2933.
12. L Song, F Ahmed, Y Li, C Zeng, & Y Li*. Vascular differentiation from pluripotent stem cells in 3-D auxetic scaffolds. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 2018, 12, 1679-1689.
13. Y Yan, L Song, J Bejoy, J Zhao, T Kanekiyo, G Bu, Y Zhou, & Y Li*. Modelling neurodegenerative microenvironment using cortical organoids derived from human stem cells. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2018, 24:1125-1137.
14. L Song, A-C Tsai, X Yuan, J Bejoy, S Sart, T Ma*, & Y Li*. Neural differentiation of spheroids derived from hiPSC-MSC co-culture. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2018, 24:915-929. (selected for cover art)
15. Y Yan, L Song, J Madinya, T Ma, & Y Li*. Derivation of cortical spheroids from human induced pluripotent stem cells in a suspension bioreactor. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2018, 24: 418-431.
16. J Bejoy, L Song, Y Zhou, & Y Li*. Wnt-YAP interactions during neural tissue patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2018, 24:546-558.
17. L Song, F Ahmed, Y Li, J Bejoy, C. Zeng, & Y Li*. PCL-PDMS-PCL copolymer-based microspheres mediate cardiovascular differentiation from embryonic stem cells. Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods. 2017, 23, 627-640.
18. Y Yan, Y Li, L Song, C Zeng, & Y Li*. Pluripotent stem cell expansion and neural differentiation in 3-D scaffolds of tunable Poisson's ratio. Acta Biomaterialia. 2017; 49, 192-203.
19. J Xia, Z Wang, Y Yan, Z Cheng, L Sun, Y Li, Y Ren, J Guan. Catalase-laden microdevices for cell-mediated enzyme delivery. Langmuir. 2016; 32, 13386-13393.
20. L Song, K Wang, Y Li*, Y Yang. Nanotopography promoted neuronal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2016, 148, 49-58. (selected for cover art)
21. Y Yan, J Bejoy, J Xia, J Guan, Y Zhou, Y Li*. Neural patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells in 3-D cultures for studying biomolecule-directed differential cellular responses. Acta Biomaterialia. 2016, 42, 114-126.
22. J Bejoy, L Song, Y Li*. Wnt-YAP interactions in the neural fate of human pluripotent stem cells and the implications for neural organoid formation. Organogenesis. 2016; 12: 1-15. [Invited]
23. S Sart, Y Yan, Y Li, E Lochner, C Zeng, T Ma, Y Li*.  Crosslinking of extracellular matrix scaffolds derived from pluripotent stem cell aggregates modulates neural differentiation.  Acta Biomaterialia. 2016; 30: 222-232.
24. Y Yan, L Martin, D Bosco, J Bundy, R Nowakowski, Q.-X. Amy Sang, Y Li*. Differential effects of acellular embryonic matrices on pluripotent stem cell expansion and neural differentiation. Biomaterials. 2015; 73: 231-242.
25. J Xia, Z Wang, D Huang, Y Yan, Y Li, J Guan.  Asymmetric biodegradable microdevices for cell-borne drug delivery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2015; 7: 6293-6299.
26. S Sart, Y Yan, Y Li.  The microenvironment of embryoid bodies modulated the commitment to neural lineage post-cryopreservation.  Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods. 2015; 21: 356-366.
27. Y Yan, F Calixto Bejarano, S Sart, M Muroski, GF Strouse, S Grant, Y Li. Cryopreservation of embryonic stem cell-derived multicellular neural aggregates labeled with micron-sized particles of iron oxide for magnetic resonance imaging.  Biotechnology Progress. 2015; 31: 510-521.
28. S Sart, F Calixto Bejarano, MA Baird, Y Yan, JT Rosenberg, T Ma, S Grant, Y Li.  Intracellular labeling of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor aggregates with micron-sized particles of iron oxide.  Cytotherapy. 2015; 17: 98-111.
29. Z Wang, J Xia, Y Yan, A-C Tsai, Y Li, T Ma, J Guan.  Facile functionalization and assembly of live cells with microcontact printed polymeric biomaterials.  Acta Biomaterialia. 2015; 11: 80-87.
30. S Sart, L Song, Y Li*.  Controlling redox status for stem cell survival, expansion and differentiation. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.  2015; Article ID 105135: 1-14. [Invited]
31. M Liu, Y Li, S-T Yang.  Effects of naringin on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic fluid derived stem cells. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 2014, In Press. DOI: 10.1002/term.1911.
32. Y Li*, C Xu, T Ma.  In vitro organogenesis from pluripotent stem cells (Views and Commentaries). Organogenesis. 2014; 10: 159-163. [Invited]
33. S Sart, Y Liu, T Ma, Y Li.  Microenvironment regulation of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor aggregates by human mesenchymal stem cell secretome. Tissue Engineering Part A 2014; 20: 2666-2679.
34. S Sart, SN Agathos, Y Li.  Process engineering of stem cell metabolism for large scale expansion and differentiation in bioreactors. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2014; 84: 74-82.
35. S Sart, A-C Tsai, Y Li, T Ma.  Three-dimensional aggregates of mesenchymal stem cells: cellular mechanisms, biological properties, and applications.  Tissue Engineering Part B Reviews 2014; 20: 365-380.
36. M Liu, Y Li, S-T Yang.  Curculigoside improves osteogenesis of human amniotic fluid derived stem cells. Stem Cells and Development 2014; 23:146-154.
37. S Sart, T Ma, Y Li.  Extracellular matrices decellularized from embryonic stem cells maintained their structure and signaling specificity. Tissue Engineering Part A 2014; 20: 54-66.
38. S Sart, SN Agathos, Y Li.  Engineering stem cell fate with biochemical and biomechanical properties of microcarriers. Biotechnology Progress 2013; 29: 1354-1366.
39. Y Li, A Gautam, J Yang, L Qiu, Z Melkoumian, J Weber, L Telukuntla, R Srivastava, E Whiteley, R Brandenberger. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells on vitronectin-derived synthetic peptide acrylate surface. Stem Cells and Development 2013; 22, 1497-1505.
40. N Liu, Y Li, and S-T Yang. Microfibrous carriers for integrated expansion and neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells in suspension bioreactor. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2013; 75: 55-63.
41. BM Mooney, NA Raof, Y Li, Y Xie. Convergent mechanisms in pluripotent stem cells and cancer: Implications for stem cell engineering. Biotechnology Journal 2013; 8: 408-419.
42. S Sart, T Ma, Y Li.  Cryopreservation of pluripotent stem cell aggregates in defined protein-free formulation. Biotechnology Progress 2013; 29: 143-153. 
43. Y Li, T Ma.  Bioprocessing of cryopreservation for large scale banking of human pluripotent stem cells. BioResearch Open Access. 2012; 1: 205-214.
44. C Xu, S Police, M Hassanipour, Y Li, Y Chen, C Priest, C O’Sullivan, MA Laflamme, W-Z Zhu, J Yang, K Delavan-Boorsma, A Davies, J Lebkowski and JD Gold. Efficient generation and cryopreservation of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells. Regenerative Medicine. 2011; 6(1): 53-66.
45. Y Li, S Powell, E Brunette, J Lebkowski, R Mandalam.  Expansion of human embryonic stem cells in defined serum-free medium free of animal-derived products. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 2005; 91: 688-698.
46. O Genbacev, A Krtolica, T Zdravkovic, E Brunette, S Powell, A Nath, E Caceres, M McMaster, S McDonagh, Y Li, R Mandalam, J Lebkowski, SJ Fisher. Serum-free derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines on human placental fibroblast feeders. Fertility and Sterility. 2005; 83: 1517-1529.
47. R Brandenberger, H Wei, S Zhang, S Lei, J Murage, G Fisk, Y Li, C Xu, R Fang, K Guegler, MS Rao, R Mandalam, J Lebkowski and LW Stanton. Signaling networks that control human ES cell growth and differentiation elucidated by transcriptome characterization.  Nature Biotechnology 2004; 22: 707-716.
48. Y Li, DA Kniss, LC Lasky, ST Yang. Culturing and differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells in 3-D fibrous matrix.  Cytotechnology. 2003; 41: 23-35.
49. Y Xie, T Sproule, Y Li, H Powell, J Lannutti, DA Kniss.  Nanoscale modifications of PET polymer surfaces via oxygen-plasma discharge yield minimal changes in attachment and growth of mammalian epithelial and mesenchymal cells in vitro. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 2002; 61: 234-245.
50. DA Kniss, Y Xie, Y Li, S Kumar, EA Linton, P Cohen, P Fan-Havard, CW Redman, IL Sargent.  ED27 trophoblast-like cells isolated from first-trimester chorionic villi are genetically identical to HeLa cells yet exhibit a distinct phenotype. Placenta. 2002; 23: 32-43.
51. Y Li, ST Yang.  Review: Effects of three-dimensional scaffolds on cell organization and tissue development. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering. 2001; 6: 311-325.
52. Y Li, T Ma, DA Kniss, LC Lasky, ST Yang.  Effects of filtration seeding on cell density, spatial distribution and proliferation in nonwoven fibrous matrices.  Biotechnology Progress. 2001; 17: 935-944.
53. Y Li, T Ma, DA Kniss, ST Yang, LC Lasky.  Human cord cell hematopoiesis and expansion in 3-D nonwoven fibrous matrices: In vitro simulation of the marrow microenvironment. Journal of Hematotherapy & Stem Cell Research (current name: Stem cells and Development) 2001; 10:355-368.
54. Y Li, T Ma, ST Yang, DA Kniss.  Thermal compression and characterization of 3-D nonwoven PET matrices as tissue engineering scaffolds. Biomaterials. 2001; 22: 609-618.
55. T Ma, Y Li, ST Yang, DA Kniss.  Effects of pore size in 3-D fibrous matrix on human trophoblast tissue development. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2000; 70: 606-618.
56. T Ma, Y Li, ST Yang, DA Kniss.  Tissue engineering human placenta trophoblast cells in 3-D fibrous matrix: spatial effects on cell proliferation and function. Biotechnology Progress. 1999; 15: 715-724.

Book Chapters

1. 1. Y Yan, L Song, A-C Tsai, T Ma, Y Li*. Generation of Neural Progenitor Spheres from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Suspension Bioreactor. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2016, 1502, 119-128.
2. S Sart, F Calixto Bejarano, Y Yan, S Grant, Y Li*. Labeling pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors with iron oxide particles for magnetic resonance imaging. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2015, 1283, 43-52.
3. R Mandalam, Y Li, S Powell, E Brunette, J Lebkowski. Production of human embryonic stem cell derived cellular product for therapeutic use. Chapter 15 In J. Odorico, S-C. Zhang and R. Pedersen (ed.). "Human embryonic stem cells" BIOS Scientific Publishers. Oxon UK and New York USA, 2005, pp289-299.
4. Y Li, ST Yang. Stem cell-based tissue engineering. In D.R. Heldman (ed.). "Encyclopedia of Agricultural, Food, and Biological Engineering" Marcel Dekker, 2004, pp1-6.

Patents

1. Chunhui Xu, Yan Li, Ramkumar Mandalam. Medium for growing human embryonic stem cells. Issued United States Patent 7,455,983; Issued UK Patent GB2431165; Issued Canada Patent CA2573437; Issued EPO Patent EP1809739.
2. Ramkumar Mandalam, Yan Li, Isabelle Nadeau. Suspension culture of human embryonic stem cells. US Patent Application, 20100144033; Issued UK Patent GB2441488; Issued Canada Patent CA2613369; Issued EPO Patent EP1910516; With issued patent by Korea, China, Singapore.