Jiahui (Chris) Wu
Assistant Professor
Lab: Life Science Laboratories, S560
Lab: Life Science Laboratories, S550A
Condensed Biography:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University (2015–2020)
Ph.D., University of Alberta, Canada (2014)
B.Eng., Guangdong University of Technology, China (2009)
Affiliations:
Faculty, Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology
Faculty, Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences
Principal Research Interests:
Our research lab is interested in exploring the fascinating world of RNA and leveraging our understanding to advance therapeutics. While over 75% of the human genome is actively transcribed into RNAs, less than 5% of these RNAs are used for coding proteins. Therefore, a major question arises: What are the functions of the RNAs that are not coding proteins? To answer this question, we invent cutting-edge molecular tools to track when RNAs are being transcribed, how they are trafficked within cells, and what other biomolecules they encounter during their life cycle. Our goal is to decipher the functional roles of RNA in both health and disease.
As we gain more mechanistic insights into how the cell works, our lab is also highly interested in leveraging these insights to develop functional molecules for therapeutic applications. We harness the power of molecular engineering to develop functional proteins and nucleic acids that modulate cellular processes and target disease-specific pathways, with a goal of advancing our discoveries into therapeutics.
Dr. Wu’s research group is currently hiring! For prospective undergraduate and graduate students, please email Dr. Wu your CV.