Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siming Chen | Chemical biology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Xiamen University, China

Dr. Siming Chen, an Associate Professor at Xiamen University, is a distinguished researcher in epigenetics, chromatin biology, and protein complexes. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China and postdoctoral experience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, he has made significant contributions to understanding PRC2 regulation and RNA-binding proteins. His research, published in top-tier journals like Molecular Cell, PNAS, and Angewandte Chemie, is supported by prestigious grants, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Recognized through the Nanqiang Young Talents Program, he leads multiple projects and supervises doctoral students. While his work is academically impactful, expanding translational applications, global collaborations, and recent first-author publications in high-impact journals would further enhance his candidacy. Overall, Dr. Chen’s strong research background, funding, and innovation make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

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Education

Dr. Siming Chen has a strong academic background in chemistry and bioengineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2013, where he focused on the mechanisms of metal-based anticancer drugs, leading to high-impact publications. Before that, he obtained his B.S. in Bioengineering from Sichuan Agricultural University in 2008, gaining foundational knowledge in biological sciences and engineering principles. Following his doctoral studies, he pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from 2013 to 2020, where he investigated the structure and function of the epigenetic protein complex PRC2 using structural biology and biochemical approaches. His extensive research experience and interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, bioengineering, and molecular biology have shaped his career as an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Xiamen University. Dr. Chen’s educational journey reflects his dedication to advancing biomedical research and innovation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Siming Chen has an extensive professional background in biomedical research and academia. Since January 2021, he has been an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, where he leads multiple research projects in epigenetics and chromatin biology. Prior to this, he spent seven years (2013–2020) as a Postdoctoral Researcher and later a Research Scientist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he investigated the structure and function of the PRC2 protein complex, resulting in high-impact publications in Molecular Cell, PNAS, and Elife. His research expertise spans structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular pharmacology. Dr. Chen’s work has been recognized through prestigious grants, including funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key R&D Program. His professional trajectory demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing biomedical sciences and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

Research Interest

Dr. Siming Chen’s research interests lie at the intersection of epigenetics, chromatin biology, and structural biology. He focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, particularly the structure and function of protein complexes such as PRC2, which play critical roles in gene expression and chromatin remodeling. His work explores how accessory subunits influence PRC2 activity, polymerization, and chromatin binding, providing insights into transcriptional regulation and disease mechanisms. Additionally, he investigates RNA-binding proteins and their roles in cancer, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets. Another key area of his research involves the mechanisms of metal-based anticancer drugs, bridging chemistry and biomedical sciences to develop innovative treatment strategies. His multidisciplinary approach integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular pharmacology to address fundamental questions in biomedical research. Through his work, Dr. Chen contributes to advancing knowledge in gene regulation and drug development, with potential implications for cancer therapy and precision medicine.

Award and Honor

Dr. Siming Chen has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to biomedical research through prestigious awards and honors. He was selected for the Nanqiang Young Talents Program at Xiamen University, an esteemed initiative that supports exceptional early-career researchers. His groundbreaking work in epigenetics and chromatin biology has earned him multiple competitive research grants, including funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Key R&D Program of China (as a co-PI), the Shenzhen Natural Science Foundation, and the Fujian Natural Science Foundation. These awards highlight his scientific excellence and leadership in cutting-edge biomedical research. His impactful publications in top-tier journals such as Molecular Cell, PNAS, and Angewandte Chemie further reinforce his status as a leading researcher in his field. Dr. Chen’s recognition through prestigious funding programs and institutional honors demonstrates his influence and contributions to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.

Research Skill

Dr. Siming Chen possesses a diverse set of research skills that span structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology. His expertise in structural biology enables him to investigate protein complexes such as PRC2 using techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and NMR spectroscopy to determine molecular structures and their functional mechanisms. He is also skilled in biochemical assays, including protein purification, enzymatic activity measurements, and interaction studies, which help elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic modifications. His molecular and cell biology techniques include gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and RNA sequencing, allowing him to explore gene regulation and protein-RNA interactions. Additionally, his background in chemical biology supports his research on metal-based anticancer drugs, integrating chemistry with biomedical applications. These interdisciplinary research skills have enabled Dr. Chen to make significant contributions to epigenetics, chromatin biology, and drug discovery, advancing knowledge in biomedical sciences.

Conclusion

Dr. Siming Chen is a highly qualified and competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his strong research background, high-impact publications, and significant funding support. His work in epigenetics and chromatin biology is innovative and influential. To further strengthen his candidacy, focusing on translational research impact, global collaborations, and more recent first-author publications in high-impact journals would be beneficial.

Publications Top Noted

• Combating the drug resistance of cisplatin using a platinum prodrug based delivery system
  Authors: Y Min, CQ Mao, S Chen, G Ma, J Wang, Y Liu
  Year: 2012
  Citations: 245

• Unique structural platforms of Suz12 dictate distinct classes of PRC2 for chromatin binding
  Authors: S Chen, L Jiao, M Shubbar, X Yang, X Liu
  Year: 2018
  Citations: 153

• Conserved RNA-binding specificity of polycomb repressive complex 2 is achieved by dispersed amino acid patches in EZH2
  Authors: Y Long, B Bolanos, L Gong, W Liu, KJ Goodrich, X Yang, S Chen, …
  Year: 2017
  Citations: 100

• A dimeric structural scaffold for PRC2-PCL targeting to CpG island chromatin
  Authors: S Chen, L Jiao, X Liu, X Yang, X Liu
  Year: 2020
  Citations: 73

• A partially disordered region connects gene repression and activation functions of EZH2
  Authors: L Jiao, M Shubbar, X Yang, Q Zhang, S Chen, Q Wu, Z Chen, J Rizo, …
  Year: 2020
  Citations: 52

• Copper-finger protein of Sp1: the molecular basis of copper sensing
  Authors: S Yuan, S Chen, Z Xi, Y Liu
  Year: 2017
  Citations: 42

• Selectivity of arsenite interaction with zinc finger proteins
  Authors: L Zhao, S Chen, L Jia, S Shu, P Zhu, Y Liu
  Year: 2012
  Citations: 40

• Trans‐Platinum/Thiazole Complex Interferes with Sp1 Zinc‐Finger Protein
  Authors: S Chen, D Xu, H Jiang, Z Xi, P Zhu, Y Liu
  Year: 2012
  Citations: 37

• Tris-(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine significantly promotes the reaction of cisplatin with Sp1 zinc finger protein
  Authors: S Chen, H Jiang, K Wei, Y Liu
  Year: 2013
  Citations: 33

• The reaction of arsenite with proteins relies on solution conditions
  Authors: L Zhao, Z Wang, Z Xi, D Xu, S Chen, Y Liu
  Year: 2014
  Citations: 17

• Unexpected helicity control and helix inversion: homochiral helical nanotubes consisting of an achiral ligand
  Authors: K Wei, J Ni, Y Min, S Chen, Y Liu
  Year: 2013
  Citations: 12

• NAMI-A preferentially reacts with the Sp1 protein: understanding the anti-metastasis effect of the drug
  Authors: S Yuan, S Chen, H Wu, H Jiang, S Zheng, Q Zhang, Y Liu
  Year: 2020
  Citations: 11

• The ginsenoside compound K suppresses stem-cell-like properties and colorectal cancer metastasis by targeting hypoxia-driven nur77-akt feed-forward signaling
  Authors: M Zhang, Z Shi, S Zhang, X Li, SKY To, Y Peng, J Liu, S Chen, H Hu, …
  Year: 2022
  Citations: 5

• Isobaric Stable Isotope N‐Phosphorylation Labeling (iSIPL) for Ultrasensitive Proteome Quantification
  Authors: XY Wang, CJ Chen, YH He, LS Ding, YF Wu, CT Huang, J Wu, R Ding, …
  Year: 2023
  Citations: 4