Ying Wei

Ying Wei, MD, is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. She conducts research focused on the molecular underpinnings of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, with a longstanding emphasis on integrin signaling, extracellular matrix remodeling, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications, particularly in developing therapies for fibrotic lung diseases and cancer metastasis.

Dr. Wei earned her MD from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University in 1991 and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School in 1997. Her research journey began with the seminal discovery of the physical and functional connection between integrins and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor, a cornerstone in understanding cell invasion. At UCSF, she pioneered in vivo studies on EMT in pulmonary fibrosis, revealing how hypoxia and integrins regulate epithelial cell plasticity. More recently, her lab has identified small molecule inhibitors of TGFβ1 signaling and lysyl oxidase (LOXL2), demonstrating their efficacy in blocking fibrosis and cancer metastasis in preclinical models and contributing to a pilot clinical study in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients.

Her research interests include:

• Molecular mechanisms of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis
• Integrin and uPAR signaling pathways
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
• Extracellular matrix remodeling
• TGFβ1 and hypoxia signaling
• Drug discovery for fibrotic diseases

The analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on fibrotic pathways, particularly the interplay between TGFβ1, integrins, and the extracellular matrix. Her work has evolved from fundamental signaling mechanisms to high-throughput screening and preclinical validation of therapeutic compounds, culminating in early-stage clinical translation. The predominant themes are the dissection of fibroblast activation, the reversal of profibrotic states, and the development of targeted inhibitors.

Dr. Wei has made significant scientific contributions, as evidenced by her publications in premier journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Nature Cell Biology. While specific awards are not listed in the provided text, her research has been highly cited, indicating substantial impact in the fields of pulmonary medicine and cell biology.

She is actively involved in advising and collaborative research, working closely with a network of co-authors, most notably Dr. Harold Chapman. Her research has been supported by grants that have enabled high-throughput screening, mechanistic studies, and pilot clinical trials. She leads efforts in dissecting the mechanisms of action (MOAs) of lead drug candidates and is instrumental in advancing these findings toward clinical application.

Dr. Wei's work is conducted within a collaborative research environment at UCSF, likely involving a research team focused on pulmonary disease mechanisms. Her future goal is to bring a drug candidate that specifically blocks the TGFβ1-induced collagen program in fibroblasts into clinical trials, representing a direct pathway from bench to bedside.