Education 🎓

Prof. Ying Hu holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from University College London (2004-2009), where she specialized in tumor gene function. She earned her MPhil in Clinical Oncology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2002-2004) and an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Fudan University (1999-2002). Her foundational education includes an MB in Chemical Analysis from Shandong Medical University (1994-1999). This diverse academic background has equipped her with a multidisciplinary approach to cancer research, combining molecular biology, clinical oncology, and biochemistry. Her education has been instrumental in shaping her innovative research strategies, enabling her to explore complex mechanisms of cancer progression and drug resistance.

Experience 💼

Prof. Ying Hu has over a decade of experience in cancer research. She currently leads the tumor gene function study group at Harbin Institute of Technology (2012-present), focusing on drug resistance and metastasis. Prior to this, she worked as a researcher at the University of Oxford (2009-2012), where she contributed to oncology research. Her expertise spans cellular and molecular biology, animal tumor models, and human sample analysis. Prof. Hu’s leadership has driven significant discoveries in cancer biology, including the role of lncRNAs and oncogenes in tumor progression. She is also an active member of professional organizations, including the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the Chinese Society for Cell Biology. Her extensive experience and leadership in cancer research have established her as a prominent figure in the field.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Prof. Ying Hu has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to cancer research. Her work has been featured in high-impact journals, with several papers highlighted as “Featured Articles” in Cancer Cell and PNAS. She has been an invited speaker at numerous international conferences, sharing her insights on cancer biology and drug resistance. Prof. Hu’s research on iASPP and lncRNAs has been widely cited, reflecting its significance in the field. She is a council member of the Chinese Society for Cell Biology (2019-present) and an active member of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. Her leadership and innovative research have earned her a reputation as a leading scientist in cancer biology. While specific awards are not listed, her consistent publication in top-tier journals and professional recognition underscore her achievements.

Research Focus 🔬

Prof. Ying Hu’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance and cancer metastasis, the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Her work explores the activation and function of oncogenes, such as the ASPP family proteins, and the roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer progression. She investigates the interplay between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, using cellular and molecular strategies, animal models, and human samples. Key areas of her research include the regulation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and DNA damage repair in cancer cells. Prof. Hu’s discoveries have identified novel therapeutic targets and provided insights into overcoming drug resistance. Her innovative approaches have advanced our understanding of cancer biology and opened new avenues for cancer treatment.

Publication Top Notes 📚

1. iASPP is an antioxidative factor and drives cancer growth and drug resistance by competing with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding.
2. SMURF2 predisposes cancer cells toward ferroptosis in GPX4-independent manners by promoting GSTP1 degradation.
3. Long noncoding RNA HITT coordinates with RGS2 to inhibit PD-L1 translation in T cell immunity.
4. ER-associated degradation ligase HRD1 links ER stress to DNA damage repair by modulating the activity of DNA-PKcs.
5. iASPP suppresses Gp78-mediated TMCO1 degradation to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis and control tumor growth and drug resistance.
6. Calcium homeostasis and cancer: insights from endoplasmic reticulum-centered organelle communications.
7. AKAP1/PKA-mediated GRP75 phosphorylation at mitochondria-associated ER membranes protects cancer cells against ferroptosis.
8. iASPP suppression mediates terminal UPR and improves BRAF-inhibitor sensitivity of colon cancers.
9. A novel LncRNA HITT forms a regulatory loop with HIF-1α to modulate angiogenesis and tumor growth.
10. A long noncoding RNA sensitizes genotoxic treatment by attenuating ATM activation and homologous recombination repair in cancers.
11. LncRNA HITT inhibits metastasis by attenuating Rab5-mediated endocytosis in lung adenocarcinoma.
12. iASPP is essential for HIF-1α stabilization to promote angiogenesis and glycolysis via attenuating VHL-mediated protein degradation.
13. A lncRNA coordinates with Ezh2 to inhibit HIF-1α transcription and suppress cancer cell adaption to hypoxia.
14. A previously identified apoptosis inhibitor iASPP confers resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs by suppressing senescence in cancer cells.
15. Mitochondria-localized lncRNA HITT inhibits fusion by attenuating formation of mitofusin-2 homotypic or heterotypic complexes.
16. lncRNA HITT Inhibits Lactate Production by Repressing PKM2 Oligomerization to Reduce Tumor Growth and Macrophage Polarization.
17. HDAC1-induced epigenetic silencing of ASPP2 promotes cell motility, tumour growth, and drug resistance in renal cell carcinoma.
18. Epigenetic silencing of ASPP1 confers 5-FU resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by preventing p53 activation.
19. EGR-1/ASPP1 inter-regulatory loop promotes apoptosis by inhibiting cyto-protective autophagy.
20. Upregulation of MiR-205 under hypoxia promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting ASPP2.
21. A p53/CPEB2 negative feedback loop regulates renal cancer cell proliferation and migration.
22. Nuclear iASPP determines cell fate by selectively inhibiting either p53 or NF-κB.
23. Identification of lncRNA-Protein Interactions by CLIP and RNA Pull-Down Assays.
24. Cell autonomous role of iASPP deficiency in causing cardiocutaneous disorders.
25. iASPP prevents premature cellular senescence and is required for normal epithelial stratification.
26. iASPP: A Novel Desmosome Regulator and its Deficiency Causes Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.
27. Restoring p53 function in human melanoma cells by inhibiting mdm2 and cyclinB1/cdk1 phosphorylated nuclear iASPP.

Conclusion 🏅

Prof. Ying Hu is a highly accomplished cancer biologist whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of drug resistance, cancer metastasis, and tumor gene function. With a strong educational background, extensive research experience, and numerous high-impact publications, she has established herself as a leader in the field. Her innovative approaches and discoveries have identified novel therapeutic targets and provided insights into overcoming cancer progression. Prof. Hu’s contributions to cancer biology make her a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to inspire and pave the way for future breakthroughs in cancer treatment.