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

136 works between 2003 and 2024
All (136) Journal Article (129) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (3) Other Outputs (1)

121 - 136 of 136 works

2008

Journal Article

siRNA and shRNA as anticancer agents in a cervical cancer model

Gu, Wenyi, Putral, Lisa and McMillan, Nigel (2008). siRNA and shRNA as anticancer agents in a cervical cancer model. Methods in Molecular Biology, 442, 159-172. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-191-8_12

siRNA and shRNA as anticancer agents in a cervical cancer model

2008

Book Chapter

siRNA and shRNA as anti-cancer agents in a cervical cancer model

Gu, W., Putral, L. and McMillan, N. A. J. (2008). siRNA and shRNA as anti-cancer agents in a cervical cancer model. RNAi : design and application. (pp. 159-172) edited by J. M. Walker. Totowa, N.J., U.S.A.: Humana Press, Inc..

siRNA and shRNA as anti-cancer agents in a cervical cancer model

2007

Journal Article

Calcium enhances mouse keratinocyte differentiation in vitro to differentially regulate expression of papillomavirus authentic and codon modified L1 genes

Fang, N. X., Gu, W., Ding, J., Saunders, N. A., Frazer, I. H. and Zhao, K. N. (2007). Calcium enhances mouse keratinocyte differentiation in vitro to differentially regulate expression of papillomavirus authentic and codon modified L1 genes. Virology, 365 (1), 187-197. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.03.038

Calcium enhances mouse keratinocyte differentiation in vitro to differentially regulate expression of papillomavirus authentic and codon modified L1 genes

2007

Journal Article

The development and future of oligonucleotide-based therapies for cervical cancer

Gu, W. Y., Putral, L. N., Irving, A. and McMillan, N. A. J. (2007). The development and future of oligonucleotide-based therapies for cervical cancer. Current Opinions in Molecular Therapeutics, 9 (2), 126-131.

The development and future of oligonucleotide-based therapies for cervical cancer

2007

Journal Article

Future of RNAi-based therapies for human papillomavirus-associated cervical cancer

Irving, A, McMillan, N and Gu, WY (2007). Future of RNAi-based therapies for human papillomavirus-associated cervical cancer. Future Virology, 2 (6), 587-595. doi: 10.2217/17460794.2.6.587

Future of RNAi-based therapies for human papillomavirus-associated cervical cancer

2006

Journal Article

Inhibition of cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo with lentiviral-vector delivered short hairpin RNA targeting human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncogenes

Gu, W., Putral, L., Hengst, K., Minto, K., Saunders, N. A., Leggatt, G. and McMillan, N. A. J. (2006). Inhibition of cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo with lentiviral-vector delivered short hairpin RNA targeting human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncogenes. Cancer Gene Therapy, 13 (11), 1023-1032. doi: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700971

Inhibition of cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo with lentiviral-vector delivered short hairpin RNA targeting human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncogenes

2006

Journal Article

RNA interference for the treatment of cancer

Putral, Lisa N., Gu, Wenyi and McMillan, Nigel A. J. (2006). RNA interference for the treatment of cancer. Drug News & Perspectives, 19 (6), 317-324. doi: 10.1358/dnp.2006.19.6.985937

RNA interference for the treatment of cancer

2005

Journal Article

Lymphocytes and MHC class II positive cells in the female rabbit reproductive tract before and after ovulation

Gu, Wenyi, Janssens, Peter, Holland, Michael, Seamark, Robert and Kerr, Peter (2005). Lymphocytes and MHC class II positive cells in the female rabbit reproductive tract before and after ovulation. Immunology and Cell Biology, 83 (6), 596-606. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2005.01375.x

Lymphocytes and MHC class II positive cells in the female rabbit reproductive tract before and after ovulation

2005

Journal Article

Gene codon composition determines differentiation-dependent expression of a viral capsid gene in keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo

Zhao, Kong-Nan, Gu, WenYi, Fang, Ning Xia, Saunders, Nicholas A. and Frazer, Ian H. (2005). Gene codon composition determines differentiation-dependent expression of a viral capsid gene in keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo. Molecular And Cellular Biology, 25 (19), 8643-8655. doi: 10.1128/MCB.25.19.8643-8655.2005

Gene codon composition determines differentiation-dependent expression of a viral capsid gene in keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo

2005

Journal Article

RNA interference against human papillomavirus oncogenes in cervical cancer cells results in increased sensitivity to cisplatin

Putral, L. N., Bywater, M. J., Gu, W. Y., Saunders, N. A., Gabrielli, B. G., Leggatt, G. R. and McMillan, N. A. J. (2005). RNA interference against human papillomavirus oncogenes in cervical cancer cells results in increased sensitivity to cisplatin. Molecular Pharmacology, 68 (5), 1311-1319. doi: 10.1124/mol.105.014191

RNA interference against human papillomavirus oncogenes in cervical cancer cells results in increased sensitivity to cisplatin

2004

Journal Article

Increased mononuclear cell activation and apoptosis early after human liver transplantation is associated with a reduced frequency of acute rejection

Jonsson, Julie R., Gu, Wenyi, Vanags, Daina M., Bishop, G. Alex, McCaughan, Geoffrey W., Fawcett, Jonathon, Lynch, Stephen V., Balderson, Glenda A., Powell, Elizabeth E. and Clouston, Andrew D. (2004). Increased mononuclear cell activation and apoptosis early after human liver transplantation is associated with a reduced frequency of acute rejection. Liver Transplantation, 10 (3), 397-403. doi: 10.1002/lt.20084

Increased mononuclear cell activation and apoptosis early after human liver transplantation is associated with a reduced frequency of acute rejection

2004

Journal Article

Immune response in rabbit ovaries following infection of a recombinant myxoma virus expressing rabbit zona pellucida protein B

Gu, Wenyi, Holland, Michael, Janssens, Peter, Seamark, Robert and Kerr, Peter (2004). Immune response in rabbit ovaries following infection of a recombinant myxoma virus expressing rabbit zona pellucida protein B. Virology, 318 (2), 516-523. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.10.021

Immune response in rabbit ovaries following infection of a recombinant myxoma virus expressing rabbit zona pellucida protein B

2004

Journal Article

tRNASer(CGA) differentially regulates expression of wild-type and codon-modified papillomavirus L1 genes

Gu, Wenyi, Li, Mengrong, Zhao, Wei Ming, Fang, Ning Xia, Bu, Shurui, Frazer, Ian H. and Zhao, Kong-Nan (2004). tRNASer(CGA) differentially regulates expression of wild-type and codon-modified papillomavirus L1 genes. Nucleic Acids Research, 32 (15), 4448-4461. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkh748

tRNASer(CGA) differentially regulates expression of wild-type and codon-modified papillomavirus L1 genes

2003

Journal Article

Effects of additional sequences directly downstream from the AUG on the expression of GFP gene

Zhao, Kong-Nan, Tomlinson, Liz, Liu, Wen Jun, Gu, Wenyi and Frazer, Ian H. (2003). Effects of additional sequences directly downstream from the AUG on the expression of GFP gene. BBA - Biochimeca et Biophysica Acta: international journal of biochemistry and biophysics, 1630 (2-3), 84-95. doi: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2003.09.010

Effects of additional sequences directly downstream from the AUG on the expression of GFP gene

2003

Journal Article

Antibody response in the female rabbit reproductive tract to influenza haemagglutinin encoded by a recombinant myxoma virus

Gu, Wenyi, Holland, Michael, Janssens, Peter and Kerr, Peter (2003). Antibody response in the female rabbit reproductive tract to influenza haemagglutinin encoded by a recombinant myxoma virus. Virology, 313 (1), 286-295. doi: 10.1016/S0042-6822(03)00324-6

Antibody response in the female rabbit reproductive tract to influenza haemagglutinin encoded by a recombinant myxoma virus

2003

Conference Publication

Absence of rejection after human liver orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with leukocyte apoptosis, increased lymphocyte activation and higher donor cell chimerism

Clouston, A., Vanags, D. M., Gu, W. Y., Powell, E. E. and Jonsson, J. R. (2003). Absence of rejection after human liver orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with leukocyte apoptosis, increased lymphocyte activation and higher donor cell chimerism. 55th Annual Meeting of the American-Association-for-the-Study-of-Liver-Disease, Boston, MA, United States, 24-28 October 2003. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons.

Absence of rejection after human liver orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with leukocyte apoptosis, increased lymphocyte activation and higher donor cell chimerism

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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au