Weilan Ye

Weilan Ye is a Principal Fellow in Molecular Oncology and Research Biology at Genentech, Inc., where she has worked for 30 years since 1995. Her research focuses on vascular biology and its role in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hereditary vascular disorders, and cancer.

• Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology from the University of Pittsburgh (1995)
• B.S. in Biophysics from the University of Science and Technology of China (1988)

Her work investigates how vascular alterations contribute to pathological conditions, particularly by manipulating molecular mechanisms that control vascular permeability and barrier function. She aims to develop therapies that modulate leukocyte trafficking and drug distribution in diseased tissues.

Recent publications highlight her work on:

• Targeting MAP4K4 to enhance CD8 T cell immunity in tumors and viral infections
• Using EGFL7 antibodies to improve anti-VEGF efficacy and endothelial cell death in tumors
• Studying integrin α5β1 and LRP5 for anti-angiogenesis therapy in cancers and retinopathy
• Exploring Rap1-Rasip1 signaling in vascular junction stability and remodeling

Weilan Ye also emphasizes postdoctoral mentorship as a critical component of her work at Genentech, fostering a collaborative environment that integrates dynamic thinking and innovative research.