Qingbin (Tim) Cui, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
qingbin.cui@utoledo.edu
EDUCATION:
- B.S. - 2008 - Pharmacy
Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China - Ph.D. - 2014 - Medicinal Chemistry
Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My research focuses on the discovery and development of mechanism-driven therapeutics for cancer, particularly drug-resistant malignancies. My laboratory employs medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to design and optimize small molecules, induced-proximity agents (including PROTACs and molecular glues), LYTACs, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), with expertise spanning rational drug design, hit-to-lead optimization, target validation, and preclinical drug development.
Current major research directions include:
- Targeting “undruggable” survivin in prostate cancer
Design, synthesis, and optimization of survivin dimerization inhibitors and degraders. These agents are designed to disrupt survivin dimerization, induce proteasome-dependent degradation, trigger apoptosis, and synergize with docetaxel in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) models.
- Fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies and optimization of FASN inhibitors. These studies focus on the design and optimization of FASN inhibitors to suppress de novo fatty acid synthesis, overcome PARP inhibitor resistance, and create synthetic lethality in TNBC.
- Induced-proximity therapeutics and targeted protein degradation
Design and development of PROTACs, LYTACs, and molecular glues, including PTH1R degraders for prostate cancer metastasis, and degraders targeting other proteins of interest.
- Additional drug discovery programs
Development of STAT3 DNA-binding domain inhibitors for TNBC and multifunctional chemical probes, including biotinylated probes and hybrid molecules, to elucidate biological mechanisms and validate emerging therapeutic targets.
PUBLICATIONS:
FUNDING:
No funding
STUDENT OPENINGS: Not accepting students
Updated 7/2026