Li Yu

Li Yu is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, where he leads an active research laboratory focused on migrasome biology. He discovered and named migrasomes in 2014, establishing a new field of research in cell biology. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding these novel organelles and their roles in cellular communication and physiological processes.

Dr. Li received his Ph.D. from Peking University in Beijing and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda. This international training background has positioned him at the forefront of cell biology research in China.

Dr. Li's research centers on migrasomes, vesicular structures that form on retraction fibers during cell migration. His laboratory discovered that migrasomes serve as a novel mechanism for cell-cell communication through "migracytosis," where cellular contents are released from these structures. His work has revealed migrasomes' critical roles in zebrafish organogenesis, where they deliver signaling molecules to specific locations to activate surrounding cells. His research also suggests migrasomes function in organelle quality control (through "mitocytosis"), lateral transfer of cellular contents, and unconventional secretion pathways.

Analysis of Dr. Li's recent publications (2022-2024) shows expanding applications of migrasome research to coagulation, embryonic angiogenesis, mitochondrial quality control, and potential therapeutic platforms including vaccination. His work spans multiple model systems with significant implications for developmental biology, immunology, and potential therapeutic development.

Dr. Li maintains a robust training program with extensive mentorship of postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, and research assistants. His laboratory has developed key methodologies for migrasome research including WGA staining protocols, identification of migrasome-specific markers (NDST1, PIGK, CPQ, EOGT), and techniques for isolating migrasomes from both cell culture and serum samples. These methodological advances have been critical for establishing migrasome biology as a recognized research field.