Chen Chen

Chen Chen is a Professor at the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University. His laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian spermatogenesis and infertility, with a particular emphasis on Tudor domain proteins and the Piwi-piRNA pathway.

• BS: China Agricultural University
• MS: Texas A&M University
• PhD: Washington University School of Medicine
• Postdoc: University of Toronto

Research interests include germ cell biology, RNA regulation, genome stability, and epigenetics. His lab explores how genes and pathways influence germ/stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and fertility, particularly through the function of Tudor domain proteins in gene silencing and cancer.

Selected publications from 2024-2005 highlight his contributions to piRNA biogenesis, transposon silencing, sperm development, and structural biology of protein-RNA interactions. These works span molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics, with recurring themes in reproductive biology and genome defense.

• Funding: NIH R01 HD084494 (Tudor domain proteins in germline genome defense), NIH R01 GM132490 (mitochondria-anchored protein complexes in piRNA biogenesis)

Chen Chen is affiliated with multiple research programs including the Reproductive & Developmental Sciences Programs (RDSP), Cell and Molecular Biology Program, and Genetics and Genome Sciences Program. His lab is actively recruiting graduate students and postdocs.