Dr Yuchen Feng
Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellow
School of Medicine and Public Health
- Email:yuchen.feng@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 49138343
Career Summary
Biography
Yuchen Feng obtained a Bachelor degree in medicine from China in 2016 before moving to the University of Newcastle, Australia, where she obtained a PhD degree in medical biochemistry in 2021. During her PhD, she discovered, for the first time, the proto-oncoprotein c-Myc inactivates the tumor suppressor p53 in cancer cells through a pan-cancer upregulated long noncoding RNA MILIP, which drives cancer pathogenesis. This work was published in Nature Communications in 2020 with Yuchen Feng as a leading author. Moreover, this work was presented at both national and international conferences including an oral presentation in American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, and won several awards.
Dr Feng is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Newcastle. Her research has focused on mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs in cancer and extended these investigations to potential clinical applications such as exploring lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. She is familiar with a wide range of advanced technologies including high-throughput RNA-sequencing, TCGA data analysis and proteomics, and has employed these knowledge to her research work.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Medicine, China Medical University - China
Keywords
- RNA therapy
- cancer biology
- long non-coding RNA
Languages
- English (Fluent)
- Mandarin (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
321101 | Cancer cell biology | 50 |
321104 | Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) | 50 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellow | University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
Awards
Award
Year | Award |
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2021 |
Best New Publication Award School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle |
2021 |
Publication of Prestige Award School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmcy, The University of Newcastle |
2021 |
2021 AACBS Research Excellence Award Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists (AACBS) |
2021 |
2021 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Staff Awards (Early- and Mid-Career Research) College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle |
2020 |
HDR Publication Award 2020 Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
2020 |
Best Oral Presentation Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists |
2018 |
Best Oral Presentation Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (14 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2024 |
Zheng SM, Feng YC, Zhu Q, Li RQ, Yan QQ, Teng L, et al., 'MILIP Binding to tRNAs Promotes Protein Synthesis to Drive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.', Cancer Res, OF1-OF15 (2024)
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2023 |
La T, Chen S, Zhao XH, Zhou S, Xu R, Teng L, et al., 'LncRNA LIMp27 Regulates the DNA Damage Response through p27 in p53-Defective Cancer Cells.', Adv Sci (Weinh), 10 e2204599 (2023) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Li D, Hu LN, Zheng SM, La T, Wei LY, Zhang XJ, et al., 'High nerve density in breast cancer is associated with poor patient outcome', FASEB BioAdvances, 4 391-401 (2022) [C1] Active crosstalk between the nervous system and breast cancer cells has been experimentally demonstrated in vitro and in animal models. However, low frequencies of peripheral nerv... [more] Active crosstalk between the nervous system and breast cancer cells has been experimentally demonstrated in vitro and in animal models. However, low frequencies of peripheral nerve presence in human breast cancers reported in previous studies (~30% of cases) potentially negate a major role of the nervous system in breast cancer development and progression. This study aimed to clarify the incidence of nerves within human breast cancers and to delineate associations with clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissue sections using antibodies against the pan-neuronal markers protein gene product 9.5 and growth-associated protein 43, and the sympathetic nerve-specific marker tyrosine hydroxylase. Nerve trunks and isolated nerve fibers were quantitated. The chi-squared test was used to determine the associations between nerve counts and clinicopathological parameters. The log-rank test was used to compare differences in patient progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The overall frequency of peripheral nerves in breast cancers was 85%, a markedly higher proportion than reported previously. Of note, most nerves present in breast cancers were of the sympathetic origin. While high density of nerve trunks or isolated nerve fibers was associated with poor PFS and OS of patients, high nerve trunk density appeared also to predict poor patient PFS independently of lymph node metastasis. Innervation of breast cancers is a common event correlated with poor patient outcomes. These findings support the notion that the nervous system plays an active role in breast cancer pathogenesis.
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Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Gao H, Kan S, Ye Z, Feng Y, Jin L, Zhang X, et al., 'Development of in silico methodology for siRNA lipid nanoparticle formulations', Chemical Engineering Journal, 442 (2022) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Wang Y, Feng YC, Gan Y, Teng L, Wang L, La T, et al., 'LncRNA MILIP links YBX1 to translational activation of Snai1 and promotes metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma', JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 41 (2022) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Wang PL, Teng L, Feng YC, Yue YM, Han MM, Yan Q, et al., 'The N-Myc-responsive lncRNA MILIP promotes DNA double-strand break repair through non-homologous end joining', PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 119 (2022) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Teng L, Feng YC, Guo ST, Wang PL, Qi TF, Yue YM, et al., 'The pan-cancer lncRNA PLANE regulates an alternative splicing program to promote cancer pathogenesis', NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 12 (2021) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
La T, Chen S, Guo T, Zhao XH, Teng L, Li D, et al., 'Visualization of endogenous p27 and Ki67 reveals the importance of a c-Myc-driven metabolic switch in promoting survival of quiescent cancer cells', THERANOSTICS, 11 9605-9622 (2021) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2020 |
Feng YC, Liu XY, Teng L, Ji Q, Wu Y, Li JM, et al., 'c-Myc inactivation of p53 through the pan-cancer lncRNA MILIP drives cancer pathogenesis', Nature Communications, 11 (2020) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2020 |
La T, Jin L, Liu XY, Song ZH, Farrelly M, Feng YC, et al., 'Cylindromatosis is required for survival of a subset of melanoma cells.', Oncology Research, 28 385-398 (2020) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Yari H, Jin L, Teng L, Wang Y, Wu Y, Liu GZ, et al., 'LncRNA REG1CP promotes tumorigenesis through an enhancer complex to recruit FANCJ helicase for REG3A transcription', NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 10 (2019) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
La T, Liu GZ, Farrelly M, Cole N, Feng YC, Zhang YY, et al., 'A p53-responsive miRNA network promotes cancer cell quiescence', Cancer Research, 78 6666-6679 (2018) [C1] Cancer cells in quiescence (G0 phase) are resistant to death, and re-entry of quiescent cancer cells into the cell-cycle plays an important role in cancer recurrence. Here we show... [more] Cancer cells in quiescence (G0 phase) are resistant to death, and re-entry of quiescent cancer cells into the cell-cycle plays an important role in cancer recurrence. Here we show that two p53-responsive miRNAs utilize distinct but complementary mechanisms to promote cancer cell quiescence by facilitating stabilization of p27. Purified quiescent B16 mouse melanoma cells expressed higher levels of miRNA-27b-3p and miRNA-455-3p relative to their proliferating counterparts. Induction of quiescence resulted in increased levels of these miRNAs in diverse types of human cancer cell lines. Inhibition of miRNA-27b-3p or miRNA-455-3p reduced, whereas its overexpression increased, the proportion of quiescent cells in the population, indicating that these miRNAs promote cancer cell quiescence. Accordingly, cancer xenografts bearing miRNA-27b-3p or miRNA-455-3p mimics were retarded in growth. miRNA-27b-3p targeted cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1 (CKS1B), leading to reduction in p27 polyubiquitination mediated by S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2). miRNA-455-3p targeted CDK2-associated cullin domain 1 (CAC1), which enhanced CDK2-mediated phosphorylation of p27 necessary for its polyubiquitination. Of note, the gene encoding miRNA-27b-3p was embedded in the intron of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 3 gene that was transcriptionally activated by p53. Similarly, the host gene of miRNA-455-3p, collagen alpha-1 (XXVII) chain, was also a p53 transcriptional target. Collectively, our results identify miRNA-27b-3p and miRNA-455-3p as important regulators of cancer cell quiescence in response to p53 and suggest that manipulating miRNA-27b-3p and miRNA-455-3p may constitute novel therapeutic avenues for improving outcomes of cancer treatment. Significance: Two novel p53-responsive microRNAs whose distinct mechanisms of action both stabilize p27 to promote cell quiescence and may serve as therapeutic avenues for improving outcomes of cancer treatment.
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Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Wang JY, Liu GZ, Wilmott JS, La T, Feng YC, Yari H, et al., 'Skp2-mediated stabilization of MTH1 promotes survival of melanoma cells upon oxidative stress', Cancer Research, 77 6226-6239 (2017) [C1] MTH1 helps prevent misincorporation of ROS-damaged dNTPs into genomic DNA; however, there is little understanding of how MTH1 itself is regulated. Here, we report that MTH1 is reg... [more] MTH1 helps prevent misincorporation of ROS-damaged dNTPs into genomic DNA; however, there is little understanding of how MTH1 itself is regulated. Here, we report that MTH1 is regulated by polyubiquitination mediated by the E3 ligase Skp2. In melanoma cells, MTH1 was upregulated commonly mainly due to its improved stability caused by K63-linked polyubiquitination. Although Skp2 along with other components of the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex was physically associated with MTH1, blocking the SCF function ablated MTH1 ubiquitination and expression. Conversely, overexpressing Skp2-elevated levels of MTH1 associated with an increase in its K63-linked ubiquitination. In melanoma cell lines and patient specimens, we observed a positive correlation of Skp2 and MTH1 expression. Mechanistic investigations showed that Skp2 limited DNA damage and apoptosis triggered by oxidative stress and that MAPK upregulated Skp2 and MTH1 to render cells more resistant to such stress. Collectively, our findings identify Skp2-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination as a critical regulatory mechanism responsible for MTH1 upregulation in melanoma, with potential implications to target the MAPK/Skp2/MTH1 pathway to improve its treatment.
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Nova | |||||||||
Show 11 more journal articles |
Conference (13 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2023 |
Zhao X, Zhang YY, Xu L, La T, Feng YC, Tang HJ, et al., 'Disruption of nucleotide homeostasis confers cancer cell susceptibility to oxidative phosphorylation inhibition independently of energy depletion', CANCER RESEARCH, FL, Orlando (2023)
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2023 |
La T, Chen S, Zhao XH, Zhang YY, Feng YC, Zhang XD, Jin L, 'lncRNA LIMp27 promotes p53-defective cancer pathogenesis', CANCER RESEARCH, FL, Orlando (2023)
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2020 |
Teng L, Feng YC, La T, Zhang YY, Zhao XH, Sokulsky L, et al., 'LncRNA PLANE regulates NCOR2 alternative splicing and promotes tumorigenesis', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2020)
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Show 10 more conferences |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 7 |
---|---|
Total funding | $1,426,359 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20241 grants / $579,632
Exploiting long noncoding RNAs for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment$579,632
Funding body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Funding body | NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council) |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Yuchen Feng, Doctor Yuchen Feng |
Scheme | Investigator Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2024 |
Funding Finish | 2028 |
GNo | G2300202 |
Type Of Funding | C1100 - Aust Competitive - NHMRC |
Category | 1100 |
UON | Y |
20231 grants / $99,830
Harnessing long noncoding RNAs for colorectal cancer early diagnosis and treatment$99,830
Funding body: Cure Cancer Australia Foundation
Funding body | Cure Cancer Australia Foundation |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Yuchen Feng, Conjoint Associate Professor Fiona Day, Associate Professor Lei Jin, Doctor Roger Liang, Professor Rodney Scott, Professor Xu Dong Zhang |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2200777 |
Type Of Funding | C1700 - Aust Competitive - Other |
Category | 1700 |
UON | Y |
20223 grants / $704,897
Exploring long noncoding RNA vulnerabilities of metabolism for cancer treatment$597,930
Funding body: Cancer Institute NSW
Funding body | Cancer Institute NSW |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Yuchen Feng |
Scheme | Early Career Fellowship |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2025 |
GNo | G2100835 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Identifying and destroying hidden devils for cancer treatment$101,967
Funding body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Funding body | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Yuchen Feng, Doctor Stan Kan, Doctor Ting La, Dr LEON Sokulsky, Doctor Yuanyuan Zhang |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G2200123 |
Type Of Funding | C3300 – Aust Philanthropy |
Category | 3300 |
UON | Y |
Cutting off the bio-building block supply to cancer$5,000
Funding body: 2022 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant
Funding body | 2022 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
---|---|
Scheme | 2022 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20212 grants / $42,000
Career Development Grant$27,000
Funding body: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle
Funding body | School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | SMPH Small Grant Round |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Exploring RNA therapeutics for cancer treatment: targeting lncRNAs using siRNA-based nanoparticles$15,000
Funding body: 2021 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant
Funding body | 2021 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
---|---|
Scheme | 2021 College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Strategic Research Pilot Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
News
News • 15 Dec 2023
$10.3m NHMRC Investigator grants help search for health solutions
Six University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded more than $10.3m in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator grants* to tackle health problems such as pre-term labour, schizophrenia, endometrial and lung cancers, as well as asthma.
News • 15 Dec 2021
Researchers on mission to improve cancer outcomes
Three University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded 2022 Early Career Fellowships by the Cancer Institute NSW. Dr Rebecca Wyse, Dr Yuchen Feng and Dr Heather Murray will each receive a $600,000 scholarship to advance projects designed to improve treatment and outcomes for cancer patients.
Dr Yuchen Feng
Position
Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellow
Melanoma Research Laboratory
School of Medicine and Public Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
yuchen.feng@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 49138343 |
Mobile | 0414546659 |
Office
Room | Life Sciences Building Room LS2-04 |
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Building | Life Sciences Building |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |