Dr. Song-Wei Li | Medicine Advances | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at School of medicine, Shanghai University, China.

Dr. Song-Wei Li is a lecturer at the School of Medicine, Shanghai University, and a marine natural product chemist specializing in secondary metabolites from marine organisms. He obtained his Ph.D. from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in 2021, with part of his training at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medical under the mentorship of Prof. Yue-Wei Guo. With over 20 publications in internationally recognized journals, Dr. Li contributes significantly to marine chemoecology and drug discovery, exploring structurally unique compounds with biological potential.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Details

• Ph.D. in Marine Natural Product Chemistry, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China (2021)

  • Joint training at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Nanchang University, China (2018)

• B.Sc. in Pharmacy, Nanchang University, China (2015)

Professional Experience

• Lecturer, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, China (2023–Present)

• Postdoctoral Researcher, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, China (2021–2023)

• Research Training, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (During Ph.D., under Prof. Yue-Wei Guo)

Research Interest

Dr. Li’s research centers on the discovery, structure elucidation, chemoecology, and bioactivity evaluation of secondary metabolites derived from marine benthic invertebrates—including molluscs, sponges, and coelenterates—as well as marine flora. His studies emphasize marine diterpenoids, polypropionates, and macrocyclic natural products with potential anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. He also integrates quantum mechanical-NMR methods for stereochemical analysis and structural determination.

Author Metrics

Number of Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles: 9
Publication Years: 2018–2025
Total Journals Covered: 8 (including top-tier journals in organic chemistry and marine natural products)

Research Focus

• Marine Natural Products Chemistry: Focus on isolation and structural elucidation of unique diterpenoids and polypropionates from South China Sea marine organisms (soft corals, mollusks, sponges).

• Synthetic Organic Chemistry: Biomimetic synthesis and rearrangement studies.

• NMR and Quantum Mechanical Analysis: Stereochemical analysis using computational and spectroscopic methods.

• Bioactivity-Oriented Isolation: Emphasis on anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and antibacterial compounds.

Top Noted Publication

1. Title: Cembrane-type diterpenoids from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton mililatensis
   Journal: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 2018, 8, 944-955
   DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2018.06.004
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Fei Ye, Zheng-Dan Zhu, Hui Huang, Shui-Chun Mao, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This study describes the isolation and structural characterization of cembrane-type diterpenoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton mililatensis found in the South China Sea. The compounds were analyzed for their potential biological activities, contributing to the understanding of their pharmacological properties.

2. Title: Complex polypropionates from a South China Sea Photosynthetic Mollusk: Isolation and Biomimetic Synthesis Highlighting Novel Rearrangements
   Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2020, 59, 12105-12112
   DOI: 10.1002/anie.202002261
   Authors: Qi-Hao Wu, Song-Wei Li, Heng Xu, Hong Wang, Pei Hu, Hao Zhang, Cheng Luo, Kai-Xian Chen, Bastien Nay, Yue-Wei Guo, Xu-Wen Li
   Abstract: The paper presents complex polypropionate compounds isolated from Placobranchus ocellatus, a photosynthetic mollusk. Biomimetic synthesis strategies were used to replicate the novel chemical rearrangements observed in these compounds. The study also discusses their potential biological activities and future applications.

3. Title: Quantum Mechanica-NMR-aided configuration and conformation of two Unreported Macrocycles Isolated from the Soft Coral Lobophytum sp.: Energy Calculations versus Coupling Constants
   Journal: Organic Letters, 2020, 22, 4093-4096
   DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c01121
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Cristina Cuadrado, Li-Gong Yao, Antonio Hernandez Daranas, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This paper discusses the structural characterization of two previously unreported macrocycles isolated from Lobophytum sp. using quantum mechanical NMR to determine the configuration and conformation. The study compares energy calculations with experimental coupling constants for structural validation.

4. Title: Rare new bicyclic cembranoid ethers and a novel trihydroxy prenylated guaiane from the Xisha soft coral Lobophytum sp.
   Journal: Bioorganic Chemistry, 2020, 103, 104223
   DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104223
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Cristina Cuadrado, Xia-Juan Huan, Li-Gong Yao, Ze-Hong Miao, Antonio Hernandez Daranas, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: The paper reports the discovery of new bicyclic cembranoid ethers and a novel trihydroxy prenylated guaiane from Lobophytum sp. (a species of soft coral). The study provides in-depth structural analysis and evaluates their potential as bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Title: Litosetoenins A-E, Diterpenoids from the soft coral Litophyton setoensis, Backbone-rearranged through Divergent Cyclization Achieved by Epoxide Reactivity Inversion
   Journal: The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2021, 86, 11771-11781
   DOI: 10.1021/acs.jorgchem.0c03360
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, I. Wayan Mudianta, Cristina Cuadrado, Geng Li, Gede A. Yudasmara, Gede I. Setiabudi, Antonio Hernandez Daranas, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This study describes the isolation of diterpenoids (Litosetoenins A-E) from Litophyton setoensis and their unique structural features, which involve a divergent cyclization process facilitated by epoxide reactivity inversion. These compounds are analyzed for their chemical properties and potential pharmacological activities.

6. Title: Ocellatuperoxides A-F, Uncommon Anti-Tumoral γ-Pyrone Peroxides from a Photosynthetic Mollusk Placobranchus ocellatus
   Journal: Marine Drugs, 2022, 20, 590
   DOI: 10.3390/md20090590
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Qihao Wu, Heng Xu, Li-Gong Yao, Cheng Luo, Hong Wang, Hao Zhang, Xu-Wen Li, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This paper reports the isolation of Ocellatuperoxides A-F, γ-pyrone peroxides from Placobranchus ocellatus, a photosynthetic mollusk. These compounds exhibit anti-tumoral properties, and the study explores their potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.

7. Title: Ocellatuspyrones A-G, new antibacterial polypropionates from the Chinese mollusk Placobranchus ocellatus
   Journal: Marine Life Science & Technology, 2023, 5, 373-386
   DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00042-2
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Dan-Dan Yu, Ming-Zhi Su, Li-Gong Yao, Hong Wang, Xue-Ting Liu, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: The paper describes the isolation of new antibacterial polypropionates (Ocellatuspyrones A-G) from Placobranchus ocellatus, examining their structure and antibacterial activities, providing insights into their potential use in treating bacterial infections.

8. Title: Macrocyclic anti-inflammatory diterpenes from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia erecta and their isolation by combined column chromatography
   Journal: Journal of Chromatography A, 2024, 1736, 465416
   DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465416
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Cristina Cuadrado, Jiao Liu, Heng Li, Wei Tang, Antonio Hernandez Daranas, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This study focuses on the isolation of macrocyclic anti-inflammatory diterpenes from Sinularia erecta, a soft coral from the South China Sea. Combined column chromatography was employed to isolate these compounds, which were then analyzed for their anti-inflammatory properties.

9. Title: Uncommon Diterpenoids with Diverse Frameworks from the South China Sea Sponge Spongia officinalis and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities
   Journal: The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2025, 90: 1950-1956
   DOI: 10.1021/acs.jorgchem.5b00123
   Authors: Song-Wei Li, Jiao Liu, Zi-Yi Liu, Yan Fu, Li-Gong Yao, Yu-Cheng Gu, Hai-Yan Zhang, Xu-Wen Li, Yue-Wei Guo
   Abstract: This research highlights the discovery of uncommon diterpenoids from the South China Sea sponge Spongia officinalis. The paper focuses on their diverse chemical frameworks and anti-inflammatory activities, with a focus on their potential therapeutic applications.

Conclusion

Dr. Song-Wei Li stands out as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his innovative research in marine natural products chemistry, his high-impact publications, and his unique interdisciplinary approach. His work has the potential to contribute significantly to drug discovery, particularly in areas of anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and antibacterial therapies. With continued engagement in global scientific networks and an expansion of his research focus, Dr. Li is poised to make even greater contributions to science.