Yan Fung Wong

Yan Fung Wong is a Guest Researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, reNEW, and Brickman Lab at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Wong's research is centered within the Stem Cell and Developmental Biology field, specifically focusing on early embryonic lineage specification.

Wong's research interests span across stem cell biology, developmental biology, and epigenetics. Their work primarily investigates embryonic lineage specification, with particular focus on endoderm differentiation and organ development. A significant portion of their research explores how naïve human pluripotent stem cells can be directed to form extra-embryonic tissues, which has implications for understanding early human development and potential regenerative medicine applications. Wong has also conducted research in hematopoietic progenitor biology, specifically studying DNA methylation patterns in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Wong's publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in developmental biology research, with a notable shift toward stem cell-based models of embryonic development. Their recent work (2022-2023) focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying endoderm specification and organ development, utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics. Earlier work (2014, 2019) shows expertise in both hematopoietic stem cell biology and the application of stem cell models to study embryonic development. The research consistently addresses fundamental questions about how cell fate decisions are made during early development.

Wong works within the Stem Cell and Developmental Biology research group led by Professor Josh Brickman at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem) in Copenhagen. The lab specializes in studying early embryonic lineage specification using stem cell models to circumvent ethical and practical challenges associated with in vivo human embryonic research.