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Xiaolei Liu

Xiaolei Liu

Norman R. Gelphman Chair

Associate Professor

Shannon Dulin.

xlliu@ou.edu

Sarkeys Energy Center, 810D

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Xiaolei Liu's Website
Xiaolei Liu's CV (pdf)

About

Understanding the diversity of microbial activities in the environment is a fundamental target of geobiological research. Lipid biomarkers can serve as robust molecular tracers to study the composition of microorganisms and their metabolisms. To make lipid biomarkers the powerful tool of geobiological study, my research will focus on 1) developing efficient analytical protocols to detect, identify and quantify lipid biomarkers in various samples; 2) understanding the biological sources, transportation and preservation of lipids in sediment records; 3) demonstrating the biosynthetic pathways and biological function of lipids. 

Education

  • Ph.D., 2011, Organic Geochemistry, MARUM, University of Bremen, Germany
  • M.Sc., 2007, Palaeontology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
  • B.S., 2003, Ecology and Environmental Microbiology, Shandong University, Chin

Research Interests

  • Geobiology
  • Lipid Biomarkers
  • Origins of Life

Courses Taught

  • Molecular Biogeochemistry
  • Introduction to Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry

Selected Publications

Selected Publications
  • Liu X.-L., Lipp J.S., Elling F., Birgel D., Summons R.E., Hinrichs K.-U., 2018. Predominance of the parallel glycerol arrangement in archaeal tetraethers from marine subsurface sediments: structural features revealed by degradation products. Organic Geochemistry 115, 12-23.
  • Liu X.-L., Birgel D., Elling F., Sutton P.A., Lipp J.S., Zhu R., Zhang C., Könneke M., Peckmann J., Rowland S.J., Summons R.E., Hinrichs K.-U., 2016. From ether to acid: a plausible degradation pathway of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 183, 138-152.
  • Liu X.-L., Santiago Torio A.D., Bosak T., Summons R.E., 2016. Novel archaeal tetraether lipids with a cyclohexyl ring identified in Feyetteville Green Lake, NY and other sulfidic lacustrine settings. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 30, 1197–1205.
  • Liu X.-L., Zhu C., Wakeham S.G., Hinrichs K.-U., 2014. In situ production of branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers in anoxic marine water columns. Marine Chemistry 166, 1-8.
  • Liu, X.-L., Summons, R.E., Hinrichs, K.-U., 2012. Extending the known range of glycerol ether lipids in the environment: structural assignments based on MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 26, 2295–2302.
  • Liu, X.-L., Lipp, J.S., Simpson, J.H., Lin, Y.-S. Summons, R.E., Hinrichs, K.-U., 2012. Mono- and dihydroxyl Glycerol Dibiphytanyl Glycerol Tetraethers in marine sediments: identification of both core and intact polar lipid forms. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 89, 102-115.
  • Liu, X.-L., Lipp, J. S., Schröder, J. M., Summons, R. E., Hinrichs, K. -U., 2011. Isoprenoidal glycerol dialkanol diethers: a series of novel archaeal lipids in marine sediments. Organic Geochemistry 43, 50-55.
  • Liu, X.-L., Lipp, J.S., Hinrichs, K.-U., 2011. Distribution of intact and core GDGTs in marine sediments. Organic Geochemistry 42, 368-375.
  • Liu, X.-L., Leider, A. Gillespie, A., Gröger, J., Versteegh, G.J.M., Hinrichs, K-U., 2010. Identification of polar lipid precursors of the ubiquitous branched GDGT orphan lipids in a peat bog in Northern Germany. Organic Geochemistry 41, 653–660.
School of Geosciences
Sarkeys Energy Center
100 East Boyd Street, RM 710
Norman, Oklahoma 73019
Phone: (405) 325-3253
Updated 10/18/2024 by School of Geosciences: geology@ou.edu