Yilun Sun

Dr. Yilun Sun is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy, affiliated with the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of DNA repair pathways related to topoisomerase and PARP inhibitors in cancer therapy.

• Education: BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Capital Medical University), MSc in Biotechnology (Georgetown University), PhD in Biopharmaceutical Sciences (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Dr. Sun's lab investigates DNA repair mechanisms induced by topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g., topotecan, irinotecan) and PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib), emphasizing their roles in lung, colorectal, and breast cancer models. Key areas include post-translational modifications (ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, neddylation) and enzymatic pathways for resolving DNA-protein crosslinks.

Recent publications highlight his development of single-molecule fluorescence assays and immuno-biochemical methods to study TOP-DPCs and PARP-DNA complexes. His work reveals novel repair pathways, including ADP-ribosylation-dependent mechanisms and ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation.

• Scientific Awards: NCI K99/R00 Award, NIH FARE, AACR Scholar-in-Training Award, NSF Travel Award, W. E. Van Doren Scholarship

Dr. Sun serves as Associate Editor for Cell Division and contributes to editorial boards. His research is supported by NIH/NCI grants, including 4R00CA273171-02. The lab collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance chemo-immunotherapy strategies and identify novel therapeutic targets.