Dr Wenyi Gu
Dr

Wenyi Gu

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 64168

Background

Dr. Wenyi Gu’s early education was conducted in China which include his undergraduate and master’s degrees in veterinary medicine. In 1996, he migrated to Australia and pursued his PhD study in biochemistry & molecular biology at the Australian National University (ANU). After a short period of work at John Curtin Medical School ANU as a junior scientist, he moved to Brisbane in 2001 for his post-doc at the University of Queensland and currently a post-doctoral research fellow at AIBN. He held a Peter Doherty Fellowship (2006-2009) and was further supported by NHMRC to spend 7 months at Harvard University as a visiting fellow in 2008. Since his post-doctoral research he has been working in the area of using RNAi to treat viral diseases and cancers. He also has a strong background in immunology and vaccine development.

Availability

Dr Wenyi Gu is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biochemistry and cell biology Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) Cell development, proliferation and death Clinical sciences Gene and molecular therapy Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Genetics Immunology Infectious diseases Medical biochemistry - nucleic acids Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Medical biotechnology Medical microbiology Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins Microbiology Molecular targets Nanobiotechnology Nanomaterials Oncology and carcinogenesis Solid tumours Tumour immunology Virology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Rational design and delivery of small RNAs for effective cancer gene therapies

    Major research focus is on RNA interference (RNAi) based gene therapy and cancer therapy. Closely associated with this focus, research areas such as oncogenes, cancer stem cells, targeted delivery systems, cancer cell biomarkers, and cancer immunotherapy are also covered. My recent research is more concentrated on RNAi delivery with nano-particles and on identifying therapeutic targets for cancer stem cells and exploring novel therapeutic approaches including using small RNAs or chemotherapeutic drugs or nature compounds to inhibit cancer stem cell growth.

Research impacts

Dr. Gu's research focus is on RNA interference (RNAi) based gene therapy and cancer therapy. Closely associated with this focus, he also interests in subjects such as oncogenes, cancer stem cells, targeted delivery, cancer cell biomarkers, and cancer immunotherapy. His recent research more focuses on RNAi delivery with nano-particles and on identifying therapeutic targets for cancer stem cells and exploring novel therapeutic approaches to inhibit cancer stem cell growth. His discovery that RNAi induces immunity to tumour antigens has led to a whole new field of biomedical research – that is the relationship between RNAi and acquired immune responses, and the role of RNAi techniques as specific and effective vaccine development tools for cancers and other diseases. This discovery has not only underpinned a high quality publication in PNAS USA but also an international patent that has been licensed by the world’s largest RNAi company, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals USA. Building on this, his recent research confirms that RNAi therapy has a profound effect on cancer stem cells (Gu et al 2011). More recently, he worked with his colleagues on RNAi therapy on osteoarthritis, which led to a high quality paper published by Nature Communication.

Search Professor Wenyi Gu’s works on UQ eSpace

139 works between 2003 and 2025
All (139) Journal Article (132) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (3) Other Outputs (1)

101 - 120 of 139 works

2013

Journal Article

Impact of extracellular matrix derived from osteoarthritis subchondral bone osteoblasts on osteocytes: Role of integrinβ1 and focal adhesion kinase signaling cues

Prasadam, Indira, Farnaghi, Saba, Feng, Jian Q., Gu, Wenyi, Perry, Samuel, Crawford, Ross and Xiao, Yin (2013). Impact of extracellular matrix derived from osteoarthritis subchondral bone osteoblasts on osteocytes: Role of integrinβ1 and focal adhesion kinase signaling cues. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 15 (5) R150. doi: 10.1186/ar4333

Impact of extracellular matrix derived from osteoarthritis subchondral bone osteoblasts on osteocytes: Role of integrinβ1 and focal adhesion kinase signaling cues

2013

Journal Article

Overexpression of PLCE1 in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: implications in cancer metastasis and aggressiveness

Chen, Yun-Zhao, Cui, Xiao-Bin, Hu, Jian-Ming, Zhang, Wen Jie, Li, Shu-Gang, Yang, Lan, Shen, Xi-Hua, Liu, Chun-Xia, Pan, Qing-Fang, Yu, Shi-Ying, Yuan, Xiang-Lin, Yang, Lei, Gu, Wen-Yi, Chen, Jie-Zhong, Wang, Li-Dong and Li, Feng (2013). Overexpression of PLCE1 in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: implications in cancer metastasis and aggressiveness. Apmis, 121 (10), 908-918. doi: 10.1111/apm.12095

Overexpression of PLCE1 in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: implications in cancer metastasis and aggressiveness

2013

Journal Article

Polymer nanocarrier system for endosome escape and timed release of siRNA with complete gene silencing and cell death in cancer cells

Gu, Wenyi, Jia, Zhongfan, Truong, Nghia P., Prasadam, Indira, Xiao, Yin and Monteiro, Michael J. (2013). Polymer nanocarrier system for endosome escape and timed release of siRNA with complete gene silencing and cell death in cancer cells. Biomacromolecules, 14 (10), 3386-3389. doi: 10.1021/bm401139e

Polymer nanocarrier system for endosome escape and timed release of siRNA with complete gene silencing and cell death in cancer cells

2013

Journal Article

MicroRNA-182 plays an onco-miRNA role in cervical cancer

Tang, Tao, Wong, Hoi Kin, Gu, Wenyi, Yu, Mei-yung, To, Ka-Fai, Wang, Chi Chiu, Wong, Yick Fu, Cheung, Tak Hong, Chung, Tony Kwok Hung and Choy, Kwong Wai (2013). MicroRNA-182 plays an onco-miRNA role in cervical cancer. Gynecologic Oncology, 129 (1), 199-208. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.12.043

MicroRNA-182 plays an onco-miRNA role in cervical cancer

2013

Journal Article

Re-considering how particle size and other properties of antigen-adjuvant complexes impact on the immune responses

Yan, Shiyu, Gu, Wenyi and Xu, Zhi Ping (2013). Re-considering how particle size and other properties of antigen-adjuvant complexes impact on the immune responses. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 395 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.11.061

Re-considering how particle size and other properties of antigen-adjuvant complexes impact on the immune responses

2013

Journal Article

Timed-release polymer nanoparticles

Nguyen, Tran T. D., Nghia, Truong P., Gu, Wenyi, Jia, Zhongfan, Cooper, Matthew A. and Monteiro, Michael J. (2013). Timed-release polymer nanoparticles. Biomacromolecules, 14 (2), 495-502. doi: 10.1021/bm301721k

Timed-release polymer nanoparticles

2013

Journal Article

Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces

Zhou, Yinghong, Chakravorty, Nishant, Xiao, Yin and Gu, Wenyi (2013). Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1058, 133-48. doi: 10.1007/7651_2013_30

Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces

2013

Journal Article

Hyaluronic acid modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to CD44-overexpressing cancer cells

Yu, Meihua, Jambhrunkar, Siddharth, Thorn, Peter, Chen, Jiezhong, Gu, Wenyi and Yu, Chengzhong (2013). Hyaluronic acid modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to CD44-overexpressing cancer cells. Nanoscale, 5 (1), 178-183. doi: 10.1039/c2nr32145a

Hyaluronic acid modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to CD44-overexpressing cancer cells

2013

Journal Article

Nanotechnology in the targeted drug delivery for bone diseases and bone regeneration

Gu, Wenyi, Wu, Chengtie, Chen, Jiezhong and Xiao, Yin (2013). Nanotechnology in the targeted drug delivery for bone diseases and bone regeneration. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 8 (1), 2305-2317. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S44393

Nanotechnology in the targeted drug delivery for bone diseases and bone regeneration

2013

Journal Article

Obesity-associated endometrial and cervical cancers

Gu, Wenyi, Chen, Chen and Zhao, Kong-Nan (2013). Obesity-associated endometrial and cervical cancers. Frontiers in Bioscience, 5 (1) E600, 109-118. doi: 10.2741/e600

Obesity-associated endometrial and cervical cancers

2013

Journal Article

Pore size-optimized periodic mesoporous organosilicas for the enrichment of peptides and polymers

Qian, Kun, Liu, Fang, Yang, Jie, Huang, Xiaodan, Gu, Wenyi, Jambhrunkar, Siddharth, Yuan, Pei and Yu, Chengzhong (2013). Pore size-optimized periodic mesoporous organosilicas for the enrichment of peptides and polymers. RSC Advances, 3 (34), 14466-14472. doi: 10.1039/c3ra41332b

Pore size-optimized periodic mesoporous organosilicas for the enrichment of peptides and polymers

2013

Book Chapter

Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces

Zhou, Yinghong, Chakravorty, Nishant, Xiao, Yin and Gu, Wenyi (2013). Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces. Stem Cell Nanotechnology: Methods and Protocols. (pp. 133-148) edited by Turksen, K. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/7651_2013_30

Mesenchymal stem cells and nano-structured surfaces

2012

Journal Article

Recent advance in silica-based engineered nanoparticles for gene therapy

Niu, Yuting, Popat, Amirali, Yu, Meihua, Karmakar, Surajit, Gu, Wenyi and Yu, Chengzhong (2012). Recent advance in silica-based engineered nanoparticles for gene therapy. Therapeutic Delivery, 3 (10), 1217-1237. doi: 10.4155/tde.12.98

Recent advance in silica-based engineered nanoparticles for gene therapy

2012

Journal Article

A simple approach to prepare monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres with adjustable sizes

Yu, Meihua, Zhou, Liang, Zhang, Jun, Yuan, Pei, Thorn, Peter, Gu, Wenyi and Yu, Chengzhong (2012). A simple approach to prepare monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres with adjustable sizes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 376 (1), 67-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.03.014

A simple approach to prepare monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres with adjustable sizes

2012

Journal Article

Enrichment and detection of peptides from biological systems using designed periodic mesoporous organosilica microspheres

Qian, Kun, Gu, Wenyi, Yuan, Pei, Liu, Fang, Wang, Yunhua, Monteiro, Michael and Yu, Chengzhong (2012). Enrichment and detection of peptides from biological systems using designed periodic mesoporous organosilica microspheres. Small, 8 (2), 231-236. doi: 10.1002/smll.201101770

Enrichment and detection of peptides from biological systems using designed periodic mesoporous organosilica microspheres

2012

Journal Article

TNF-alpha promotes IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression and antigen process in Myb-transformed hematological cells

Gu, Wenyi, Chen, Jeizhong, Yang, Lei and Zhao, Kong-Nan (2012). TNF-alpha promotes IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression and antigen process in Myb-transformed hematological cells. The Scientific World Journal, 2012 621969, 621969.1-621969.11. doi: 10.1100/2012/621969

TNF-alpha promotes IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression and antigen process in Myb-transformed hematological cells

2012

Journal Article

The possible mechanisms for β-glucans to prevent atherosclerotic lesions

Gislette, Tiphaine, Zhao, Kong-Nan, Gu, Wenyi and Chen, Jiezhong (2012). The possible mechanisms for β-glucans to prevent atherosclerotic lesions. Current Bioactive Compounds, 8 (2), 146-150. doi: 10.2174/157340712801784796

The possible mechanisms for β-glucans to prevent atherosclerotic lesions

2011

Journal Article

Silencing oncogene expression in cervical cancer stem-like cells inhibits their cell growth and self-renewal ability

Gu, W., Yeo, E., McMillan, N. and Yu, C. (2011). Silencing oncogene expression in cervical cancer stem-like cells inhibits their cell growth and self-renewal ability. Cancer Gene Therapy, 18 (12), 897-905. doi: 10.1038/cgt.2011.58

Silencing oncogene expression in cervical cancer stem-like cells inhibits their cell growth and self-renewal ability

2011

Journal Article

The role of PI3K/Akt pathway in beta-glucan-induced dendritic cell maturation

Chen, Jiezhong, Gu, Wenyi and Zhao, Kongnan (2011). The role of PI3K/Akt pathway in beta-glucan-induced dendritic cell maturation. International Immunopharmacology, 11 (4), 529-529. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2011.01.027

The role of PI3K/Akt pathway in beta-glucan-induced dendritic cell maturation

2011

Journal Article

Prediction of conserved microRNAs from skin and mucosal human papillomaviruses

Gu, Wenyi, An, Jiyuan, Ye, Ping, Zhao, KongNan and Antonsson, Annika (2011). Prediction of conserved microRNAs from skin and mucosal human papillomaviruses. Archives of Virology, 156 (7), 1161-1171. doi: 10.1007/s00705-011-0974-3

Prediction of conserved microRNAs from skin and mucosal human papillomaviruses

Past funding

  • 2017 - 2018
    Development of immunotherapy for viral-induced cancers
    Guangdong Tophealth Biotechnology Co. Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Developing a mouse model of spontaneous hepatocyte carcinoma
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Bio-immunotherapy for cervical cancer
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    siRNA-based Anti-Tumour Immunity
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Evolution and function of fragmented animal mitochondrial genomes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Evolution and function of fragmented animal mitochondrial genomes (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of the Sunshine Coast)
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Novel photodynamic therapy for targeted skin cancer treatment: an integrated bionanotechnology
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2008
    MicroRNA analysis of cervical cancer HeLa cells resistant to gene silencing of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes
    NHMRC Travelling Award for Research Training
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    The Role of RNA interference in the induction of immune responses
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Using siRNA and shRNA as antigen presentationenhancers for anti-tumour immunity
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Sensitise cervical cancer cells to shRNA-mediated gene silence
    NHMRC Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Wenyi Gu is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Identifying therapeutic targets and developing targeted cancer therapies for cancer stem cells

  • Drug delivery with nanotechnology and RNA interference based thearpy

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Roles of surface expression of PD-L1 and the regulation by E2 in human endometrial and breast cancers

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Translational meaning of the efficacy of immunotherapies as neoadjuvants to treat Head and Neck cancers.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Merja Joensuu, Professor Michael Monteiro

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Roles of surface expression of PD-L1 and the regulation by E2 in human endometrial and breast cancers

    Associate Advisor

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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