معرفی
Dr. Yang Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Structural Biology at Van Andel Institute (VAI). She specializes in structural biology and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s through advanced imaging techniques like cryo-EM. Previously a postdoctoral fellow at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK), she studied protein filaments linked to neurodegenerative disorders, revealing critical structural insights that inform therapeutic strategies.
- Education:
- B.S. in Bioscience, Beijing Forestry University
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (adviser: Dr. Zihe Rao)
Her research investigates amyloid assembly mechanisms, disease progression pathways, and therapeutic targets. The Yang Yang Laboratory employs cryo-EM to visualize pathogenic protein structures, aiming to bridge structural insights with clinical applications. Key achievements include identifying structural differences between amyloid filaments from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Recent work highlights over 122 peer-reviewed publications in 2024 (63 in high-impact journals) and contributions to VAI’s clinical trials, including 15 VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team trials and 10 co-funded Parkinson’s trials. Her lab’s impact includes advancing understanding of amyloid-based therapies and disease biomarkers.
Dr. Yang’s team includes postdoctoral fellows like Mohammed Alhadidy and Tiara Hinton, mentored under her leadership. She collaborates across institutions, leveraging VAI’s cryo-EM facilities to drive discoveries toward effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
