Wenqian Hu, Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

Wenqian Hu, Ph.D., studies molecular mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulations of gene expression in mammalian cell differentiation and responses to environmental stimuli. In particular, Dr. Hu focuses on functional and mechanistic characterization of RNA-binding proteins and noncoding RNAs in hematopoiesis and innate immune responses.

Focus areas

• Erythropoiesis. Dr. Hu is investigating how several erythroid-specific RNA-binding proteins and long noncoding RNAs control the production of red blood cells.
• Innate immune responses. Dr. Hu is working to decipher the post-transcriptional regulatory networks in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Hu's work focuses on fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of gene expression. Since dysregulation of gene expression is the cause of a wide variety of pathological conditions (cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, for example), the results from these basic mechanistic studies are essential for developing novel therapeutic approaches to many diseases.

Professional highlights

• Recipient, Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), National Institutes of Health, 2013-2018
• Merck Fellow, Life Science Research Foundation, 2011-2013
• Outstanding mentoring in undergraduate research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012
• Recipient, Doctoral Excellence Award in Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2011
• Predoctoral fellowship, American Heart Association, 2007-2009