Self-introduction

Xiaochen Wang，Chair Professor，School of Life Sciences

Professor Xiaochen Wang obtained her Ph.D. degree at Peking University in 1999 and completed postdoc training at University of Colorado, Boulder, USA in 2006. Then she established her own laboratory at National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS, Beijing) in 2006 and was promoted to associate investigator in 2011. From 2016 to 2023, Dr. Wang has been an investigator in Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science. In 2023, she joined the School of Life Sciences at SUSTech as Chair professor. Prof. Wang was selected as an international early career scientist of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in 2012. She received National Young Women Scientist Award and Distinguished Young Scholar Fellowship in 2013.

Research Interests：

Our research focuses on lysosome-mediated cellular degradation processes. Employing C. elegans as a model system and taking a combinatory approach of genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry, we investigate how lysosome homeostasis is regulated and contributes to animal physiology and pathology, and how apoptotic cells are cleared via lysosome-dependent pathways.  

Professional Experience：

2023.07- present  Chair Professor , Southern University of Science and Technology, China

2016.5 – 2023.06  Principal Investigator, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science

2011.07 - 2016.04  Associate Investigator, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China

2006.05 - 2011.07  Assistant Investigator, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China

1999.09 - 2006.04  Postdoctoral research associate, Department of MCD Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

Educational Background：

1994 - 1999  Ph.D., National Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, China

1988 - 1992  B.S., Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Shandong University, China 

Honors & Awards：

2012  HHMI International Early Career Scientist Award

2013  The 10th Chinese Young Women Scientist Award

2013  Distinguished Young Scholar Fellowship

Selected Publication：

1. Li L^#，Liu X^#，Yang S^#，Li M，Wu Y，Hu S，Wang W，Jiang A，Zhang Q，Zhang J，Ma X, Hu J，Zhao Q，Liu Y，Li D，Hu J，Yang C，Feng W^*，Wang X^*(2024) The HEAT repeat protein HPO-27 is a lysosome fission factor. Nature. 628, 630–638

2. Zhang Q, Li Y, Jian Y, Li M, Wang X^* (2023). Lysosomal chloride transporter CLH-6 protects lysosome membrane integrity via cathepsin activation. J Cell Biol. 222(6):e202210063.

3. Sun Y, Li M, Zhao D, Li X, Yang C, Wang X^* (2020). Lysosome activity is modulated by multiple longevity pathways and is important for lifespan extension in C.elegans. eLife 9:e55745

4. Miao R, Li M, Zhang Q, Yang C, Wang X^* (2020). An ECM-to-Nucleus Signaling Pathway Activates Lysosomes for C. elegans Larval development. Dev Cell. 52:21-37

5. Liu Y, Zou W, Yang P, Wang L, Ma Y, Zhang H, Wang X^* (2018). Autophagy-dependent ribosomal RNA degradation is essential for maintaining nucleotidehomeostasis during C. elegans development. eLlife. 7: e36588.

6. Yin J^#, Huang Y^#, Guo P, Hu S, Yoshina S, Xuan N, Gan Q, Mitani S, Yang C, Wang X^* (2017). GOP-1 promotes apoptotic cell degradation by activating the small GTPase Rab2 in C. elegans. J Cell Biol. 216(6):1775-1794.

7. Li Y, Chen B, Zou W, Wang X, Wu Y, Zhao D, Sun Y, Liu Y, Chen L, Miao L, Yang C, Wang X^* (2016). The lysosomal membrane protein SCAV-3 maintains lysosome integrity and adult longevity. J Cell Biol, 215 (2):167-185. 

8. Cheng S, Wang K, Zou W, Miao R, Huang Y, Wang H, Wang X^* (2015). PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns3P coordinate to regulate phagosomal sealing for apoptotic cell clearance. J Cell Biol, 210(3):485-502. 

9. Zhang Y, Wang H, Kage-Nakadai E, Mitani S, Wang X^* (2012). C. elegans secreted lipid-binding protein NRF-5 mediates PS appearance on phagocytes for cell corpse engulfment. Current Biol, 22(14):1276-1284. 

10. Liu B^#, Du H^#, Rutkowski R, Gartner A, Wang X^* (2012). LAAT-1 is the lysosomal lysine/arginine transporter that maintains amino acid homeostasis. Science, 337(6092):351-354. 

11. Guo P, Hu T, Zhang J, Jiang S, Wang X^* (2010). Sequential action of Caenorhabditis elegans Rab GTPases regulates phagolysosome formation during apoptotic cell degradation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107(42):18016-18021. 

12. Wang X^*, Li W, Zhao D, Liu B, Shi Y, Chen B, Yang H, Guo P, Geng X, Shang Z, Peden E, Kage-Nakadai E, Mitani S, Xue D^* (2010). Caenorhabditis elegans transthyretin-like protein TTR-52 mediates recognition of apoptotic cells by the CED-1 phagocyte receptor. Nat Cell Biol, 12(7):655-664.