美国MD安德森癌症中心博士后职位招聘–细胞/分子生物学、癌症生物学、免疫学、实验小鼠背景

Postdoctoral Fellow Recruitment. Dr. Yang Chen’s Laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Yang Chen joined the Department of Translational Molecular Pathology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in September 2022, as an independent, tenure-track Assistant Professor. 

Dr. Yang Chen obtained his Ph.D. degree at Tsinghua University, China in 2014. Then he received his postdoctoral training atMD Anderson Cancer Center under the guidance of Dr. Raghu Kalluri, a world-renowned expert in the field of cancer biology and tumor microenvironment. Dr. Chen’s postdoctoral training was highly productive, leading to the publication of six first-author papers and one co-first-author paper in impactful journals (Chen et al., Cancer Cell2022; Chen et al., Cancer Cell 2021; McAndrews, Chen, Darpolor et al., Cancer Discovery 2022; Chen et al., Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 2021; Chen et al., Nature Communications 2021; Chen et al., EMBO Mol Med2018; Chen et al., PLoS Biology 2018). Dr. Chen’s comprehensive studies established a variety of novel transgenic mouse models that specifically allow the genetic knockout of important proteins in certain cell populations.

These novel mouse models, in combination with single-cell sequencing and other multi-omics analyses, revealed the functional roles of important proteins (such as type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the tumor microenvironment and human body) and cell types (such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and myeloid-derived suppressor cells) in tumors. These studies systemically identified the interactions between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, and tumor microbiome, which provided new insights into the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, including combinatory treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Dr. Chen’s prior studies also provided the solid foundation for his independent research projects.

Dr. Chen’s independent researchlaboratory aims to integrate both computational biology (utilizing single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and other multi-omics analyses) and experimental biology (utilizing novel transgenic mouse models of cancers and in vitro mechanistic validation), in conjunction with the abundant clinical data in the Department of Translational Molecular Pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This multi-disciplinary research system will allow the systemic identification and investigation of novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers in pancreatic cancer and other diseases.

Dr. Chen’s laboratory seeks to recruit Postdoctoral Fellows with research interests in cancer biology, tumor microenvironment, and cancer immunology. Applicants are encouraged to send application materials, such as personal statement, CV, representative publications, and information of referees, toychen23@mdanderson.org. Additional information for Dr. Chen’s research can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yang-chen-03025821/. Candidates with extensive experience in cellular/molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology, or experimental mouse models are particularly welcomed. Stipend will follow the latest NIH standard levels (starting at $54,840, with annual increases). Postdoctoral fellows can apply for apartments of the UT Housing system and are covered by standard UT medical insurance plans.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, located in Houston Texas, is a leading comprehensive cancer center with respectable reputation nationwide and worldwide. MD Anderson Cancer Center is home to many of the top cancer researchers and physicians in various fields related to basic research, translational research, clinical research, and cancer therapeutics. For many years, MD Anderson Cancer Center continues to rank No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals for Cancer” annual rankings. 

Selected Publications：

Chen Y, Yang S, Tavormina J, Tampe D, Zeisberg M, Wang H, Mahadevan K, Wu C-J, Sugimoto H, Chang C-C, Jenq RR, McAndrews KM, Kalluri R. Oncogenic collagen I homotrimers from cancer cells bind to a3b1 integrin and impact tumor microbiome and immunity to promote pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell. 2022 Aug 8;40(8): 1-17.

Chen Y, Kim J, Yang S, Wang H, Wu C-J, Sugimoto H, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Type I collagen deletion in aSMA⁺myofibroblasts enhances immune suppression and accelerates progression of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell. 2021 Apr 12;39(4): 548-565.e6.

McAndrews KM*,Chen Y*, Darpolor JK*, Zheng X, Yang S, Carstens JL, Li B, Wang H, Miyake T, Correa de Sampaio P, Kirtley ML, Natale M, Wu C-C, Sugimoto H, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Identification of functional heterogeneity of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts with distinct IL-6 mediated therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Discovery. 2022 Jun 2;12(6):1580-1597. (*Co-first author)

Chen Y, McAndrews KM, Kalluri R. Clinical and therapeutic relevance of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 2021 Dec;18(12):792-804. (Cover article)

Chen Y, Yang S, Lovisa S, Ambrose CG, McAndrews KM, Sugimoto H, Kalluri R. Type-I collagen produced by distinct fibroblast lineages reveals specific function during embryogenesis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Nature Communications. 2021 Dec 10;12(1):7199.

Chen Y, LeBleu VS, Carstens JL, Sugimoto H, Zheng X, Malasi S, Saur D, Kalluri R. Dual reporter genetic mouse models of pancreatic cancer identify an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-independent metastasis program. EMBO Molecular Medicine. 2018 Aug 17. pii: e9085.

Chen Y, Keskin D, Sugimoto H, Kanasaki K, Phillips PE, Bizarro L, Sharpe A, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Podoplanin+ tumor lymphatics are rate limiting for breast cancer metastasis. PLoS Biology. 2018 Dec 28;16(12):e2005907.

Chen Y, Wang S, Lu X, Zhang H, Fu Y, Luo Y. Cholesterol sequestration by nystatin enhances the uptake and activity of endostatin in endothelium via regulating distinct endocytic pathways. Blood. 2011;117:6392-403.

Chen Y, Liu G, Guo L, Wang H, Fu Y, Luo Y. Enhancement of tumor uptake and therapeutic efficacy of EGFR-targeted antibody cetuximab and antibody-drug conjugates by cholesterol sequestration. International Journal of Cancer. (Cover article) 2015;136(1):182-194.

Liu G,Chen Y*, Guo L, Qi F, Wang H, Fu Y, Luo Y. Cytokines and angiogenic factors based rescue models provide unique insights into chemotherapy-induced tumor metastasis. Journal of Pathology. (Cover article) 2015:237(2):190-202. (*Co-first author)