Baoyu Chen

Baoyu (Stone) Chen is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University's Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on cell morphogenesis and migration, particularly the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by surface receptors. Chen's work integrates biochemistry, genetics, and structural biology to study signaling pathways in organisms like C. elegans.

Education:

• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Hunan University (2000)
• M.S., Biochemistry, Tsinghua University (2003)
• Ph.D., Chemical Biology, Pennsylvania State University (2008)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2008-2015)

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of actin cytoskeleton regulation via membrane receptors
• Role of WAVE complex in axon guidance and synaptogenesis
• Development of chemical tools for in vivo studies
• Structural biology of cytoskeletal regulators

Recent work highlights discoveries in Netrin-DCC signaling pathways, genetic basis of mirror movement disorders, and endosomal trafficking mechanisms. His lab employs interdisciplinary approaches to bridge basic research and therapeutic discovery.

Labs/Teams:

• Stone Chen Lab (focusing on actin cytoskeleton signaling)