Prof Junhua Wu | Tumor Gene Therapy | Excellence in Innovation

Nanjing University | China

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JUNHUA WU: PIONEERING RESEARCHER IN BIOMECHANICS AND ONCOLOGY 🔬

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS 🎓

Junhua Wu embarked on his academic journey at Nanjing University (NJU), where he earned both his BSc in Life Sciences (1998–2002) and PhD in Life Sciences (2002–2007). His doctoral studies laid a strong foundation in molecular biology and biomechanics, equipping him with the expertise to make significant contributions to scientific research.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS 🏅

Following his graduation in June 2007, Junhua Wu remained at Nanjing University as a faculty member. His academic career has progressed steadily:

• Lecturer (Since September 2007)
• Associate Professor (Since December 2014)
• Professor (Since December 2019)

He has received research funding from prestigious sources such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key R&D Plan of Jiangsu Province, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, and the Doctoral Program Fund of the Ministry of Education.

As an esteemed scholar, Professor Wu has published over 50 SCI papers in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and holds 17 national invention patents. He has also contributed to academia through the compilation and translation of scientific monographs. His editorial roles include serving on the boards of Translational Oncology, Biocell, and Discovery Medicine.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON TUMOR GENE THERAPY🔍

Professor Wu has made groundbreaking contributions in biomechanics, material science, and oncology. His research interests focus on protein hydrogels, tumorigenesis mechanisms, and novel cancer therapies.

1. Creation and Application of Hydrogels 💧

His work on protein hydrogels was a pioneering achievement in the field of biomechanics. He successfully demonstrated the ability to manipulate the mechanical properties of macromaterials by fine-tuning single protein molecules. His study, published in Nature Communications (2018), was a landmark contribution and has been cited 110 times.

His work was recognized in the 100th-anniversary special issue of international macromolecular science and was selected by the China Biomechanics Professional Committee as a key research advancement (2016–2018).

2. Mechanism of Tumorigenesis and Development 🧬

Professor Wu’s contributions to oncology include his exosome theory of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma, published in JECCR (2016). This study has been cited 113 times, influencing subsequent research on drug resistance in various cancers. His findings provided a new understanding of cancer cell communication and treatment resistance.

3. Innovative Cancer Therapies 💊

Professor Wu has developed novel strategies for cancer treatment, leading to over 20 invention patents and more than 30 high-impact SCI publications.

His research on mechanically stable peptide-graphene oxide hybrid hydrogels for drug delivery was highlighted as a Web of Science highly cited paper (Top 1% globally). This work demonstrated precise drug release mechanisms and was recognized for its potential to revolutionize targeted cancer therapy.

His “Trojan Horse” strategy for oncolytic virus delivery represents another major breakthrough. Published in JECCR (2019), this method involves using graphene nanoflakes to enhance viral delivery to tumors, significantly improving therapeutic outcomes.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE 🌍

Professor Wu’s research has had a profound impact on multiple disciplines, including biomechanics, biomaterials, and oncology. His pioneering studies have inspired global researchers, with scholars from institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee drawing on his ideas for their work in Nature Communications, Science Advances, and PRL.

His cancer therapy innovations have been widely cited and applied by leading oncologists and material scientists. His findings have been positively reviewed and referenced in major scientific publications, solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in the field.

ACADEMIC CITATIONS 📑

Professor Wu’s work has received extensive recognition, accumulating hundreds of citations. Some notable statistics include:

• 110+ citations for his 2018 Nature Communications paper on protein hydrogels.
• 113+ citations for his 2016 JECCR paper on exosome-mediated drug resistance.
• 122+ citations for his 2015 Nanoscale paper on peptide-graphene oxide hybrid hydrogels.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS 🚀

Professor Junhua Wu’s legacy is defined by his interdisciplinary approach, bridging biomechanics, biomaterials, and cancer therapy. His innovative methodologies continue to shape biomedical engineering and oncology research.

Moving forward, he aims to:

• Expand the applications of protein hydrogels for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
• Advance tumor microecology studies to develop next-generation immunotherapies.
• Refine oncolytic virus-based cancer treatments, enhancing their efficacy and clinical applications.

CONCLUSION 🏆

Junhua Wu stands as a pioneering figure in his fields of expertise. His work has redefined our understanding of mechanobiology and cancer treatment, earning him a place among the most influential scientists in modern biomedical research. His dedication to innovation ensures that his impact will continue to resonate for years to come.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 📑

"SENP3 inhibition suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression and improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy" 

• Authors: P., Wang, Peng , J., Qiu, Jiannan , Y., Fang, Yuan , J., Wu, Junhua , C., Jiang,
• Journal: Chunping Cell Death and Differentiation
• Year: 2025

"Thymosin α1 reverses oncolytic adenovirus-induced M2 polarization of macrophages to improve antitumor immunity and therapeutic efficacy" 

• Authors: K., Liu, Kua , L., Kong, Lingkai , H., Cui, Huawei , C., Jiang, Chunping , J., Wu, Junhua
• Journal: Cell Reports Medicine
• Year: 2024

"CuET overcomes regorafenib resistance by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition through suppression of the ERK pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma" 

• Authors: D., Ma, Ding , S., Liu, Shuwen , K., Liu, Kua , J., Wu, Junhua , C., Jiang, Chunping
• Journal: Translational Oncology
• Year: 2024

"Toward Practical Applications of Engineered Living Materials with Advanced Fabrication Techniques" 

• Authors: C., Lu, Chenjing , Y., Huang, Yaying , J., Cui, Jian , Y., Cao, Yi , S., Yin, Sheng
• Journal: ACS Synthetic Biology
• Year: 2024

"Structurally and mechanically tuned macroporous hydrogels for scalable mesenchymal stem cell-extracellular matrix spheroid production " 

• Authors: S., Yin, Sheng , H., Wu, Haipeng , Y., Huang, Yaying , W., Wang, Wei , Y., Cao, Yi
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• Year: 2024