Julian J.-L. Chen

Julian J.-L. Chen is a Professor at Arizona State University's School of Molecular Sciences and a core faculty member at the Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution. His work bridges RNA biochemistry, telomere biology, and molecular evolution, with implications for cancer and aging.

• PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from Indiana University
• Postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University
• Faculty at ASU since 2004

Research focuses on telomerase ribonucleoprotein complexes, exploring their:

• Structural organization and functional domains
• Biogenesis pathways from protein-coding precursors
• Evolution across eukaryotes (insects, plants, fungi)
• Role in chromosome stability and disease
• Regulation in stem cells and tumors
• Molecular mechanisms of RNA-protein interactions

Key publications cover telomerase RNA evolution (2025), structural studies (2023), and plant telomere biology (2022). Research is funded by NIH and NSF grants.

Active projects include:

• Molecular Mechanism of Telomerase Action (NIH/NIGMS)
• Collaborative Research: Telomerase Structure in Photosynthetic Eukaryotes (NSF)
• Biogenesis of mRNA-Derived Telomerase lncRNA (NIH)

He teaches Principles of Biochemistry (BCH 361) and mentors undergraduate/graduate research projects.