On July 13, 2024, Professor Liu Chuan Fa from the Nanyang Technological University (School of Biological Sciences), Singapore, gave an academic lecture on the topic "Peptidyl asparaginyl ligases as biotechnology tools for peptide and protein engineering. This was held in the Third Lecture Hall of the Conference Center. The lecture was moderated by Professor Cunshan Zhou, Associate Dean of the School of Food and Biological Engineering. In attendance were faculty members, graduates, and international students from the department of Food Science and Biological Engineering (JSU).

Professor Liu Chuan Fa, before beginning the lecture, spoke briefly about Nanyang Technological University and especially the School of Biological Sciences, which happens to be his department. The presentation was in two parts: the first part consisted of a brief introduction to “peptidyl asparaginyl ligases” and the second part was about “biotechnological applications of peptidyl asparaginyl ligases.” In the introduction section, he talked about different types of these peptidyl asparaginyl ligases and mentioned that， Butelase-1 is known to be the fastest peptide ligase compared to other ligases. He also elaborated on vacuolar processing enzymes in plants and some specific roles played by them, some of which include the processing of seed storage proteins, the processing of stress proteins, and the synthesis of cyclic peptides. He made it known that Butelase-1 and other peptidyl asparaginyl ligases (PALs) are found in the vacuoles of plant cells, which belong to a family of enzymes called plant legumains of asparaginyl endopeptides or AEPs and that these AEPs are part of the vacuolar processing enzymes in plants.

Professor Liu Chuan Fa, in the second part of the presentation, gave some biotechnology applications of these peptidyl asparaginyl ligases (PALs). These include serving as transpeptidases, catalyzing the macrocyclization of proteins, mediating intramolecular ligation for peptide and protein macroryclization, and also controlling the pH of bio-orthogonal ligation at aspartyl and asparaginyl sites. He explained these with scientific diagrams, structures, and images to give a clearer and better understanding of how these activities took place. He also explained “a cascade scheme for irreversible PAL-catalyzed transpeptidative ligation. Last but not least he talked about the phrase “Singzyme” (transforming the promise of biotechnology into innovative medicines). Professor Liu Chuan Fa concluded with a schematic diagram, which summarized the protein conjugation and antibody drug conjugates protein Iheranostics. This lecture was very detailed, informative, educational and captivating. Post-lecture, he actively engaged in a vibrant discussion with both faculty members and students present.

Professor Liu Chuan Fa’s visit has made a substantial contribution to the progress of the field of food science and engineering especially in the area of peptides. This lecture has provided in-depth information on how peptides are being used with the help of biotechnology to solve issues in the field of not only food science but other fields like medicine. These could help provide innovative research perspectives for both faculty members and students. This has significantly enhanced the development of the Food Science and Engineering discipline and has actively propelled the global outreach of the School of Food and Biological Engineering. This scholarly interchange has also laid a foundation for communication and collaboration between Jiangsu University and Nanyang Technological University.