
Overview
Background
Dr. Wenyi Gu’s early education was conducted in China which include his undergraduate and master’s degrees in veterinary medicine. In 1996, he migrated to Australia and pursued his PhD study in biochemistry & molecular biology at the Australian National University (ANU). After a short period of work at John Curtin Medical School ANU as a junior scientist, he moved to Brisbane in 2001 for his post-doc at the University of Queensland and currently a post-doctoral research fellow at AIBN. He held a Peter Doherty Fellowship (2006-2009) and was further supported by NHMRC to spend 7 months at Harvard University as a visiting fellow in 2008. Since his post-doctoral research he has been working in the area of using RNAi to treat viral diseases and cancers. He also has a strong background in immunology and vaccine development.
Availability
- Dr Wenyi Gu is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University
Research interests
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Rational design and delivery of small RNAs for effective cancer gene therapies
Major research focus is on RNA interference (RNAi) based gene therapy and cancer therapy. Closely associated with this focus, research areas such as oncogenes, cancer stem cells, targeted delivery systems, cancer cell biomarkers, and cancer immunotherapy are also covered. My recent research is more concentrated on RNAi delivery with nano-particles and on identifying therapeutic targets for cancer stem cells and exploring novel therapeutic approaches including using small RNAs or chemotherapeutic drugs or nature compounds to inhibit cancer stem cell growth.
Research impacts
Dr. Gu's research focus is on RNA interference (RNAi) based gene therapy and cancer therapy. Closely associated with this focus, he also interests in subjects such as oncogenes, cancer stem cells, targeted delivery, cancer cell biomarkers, and cancer immunotherapy. His recent research more focuses on RNAi delivery with nano-particles and on identifying therapeutic targets for cancer stem cells and exploring novel therapeutic approaches to inhibit cancer stem cell growth. His discovery that RNAi induces immunity to tumour antigens has led to a whole new field of biomedical research – that is the relationship between RNAi and acquired immune responses, and the role of RNAi techniques as specific and effective vaccine development tools for cancers and other diseases. This discovery has not only underpinned a high quality publication in PNAS USA but also an international patent that has been licensed by the world’s largest RNAi company, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals USA. Building on this, his recent research confirms that RNAi therapy has a profound effect on cancer stem cells (Gu et al 2011). More recently, he worked with his colleagues on RNAi therapy on osteoarthritis, which led to a high quality paper published by Nature Communication.
Works
Search Professor Wenyi Gu’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Biodistribution of PNIPAM-Coated Nanostructures Synthesized by the TDMT Method
Gu, Wenyi, Bobrin, Valentin A., Chen, Sung-Po R., Wang, Zhao, Schoning, Jennifer P., Gu, Yushu, Chen, Weiyu, Chen, Mingshui, Jia, Zhongfan and Monteiro, Michael J. (2018). Biodistribution of PNIPAM-Coated Nanostructures Synthesized by the TDMT Method. Biomacromolecules, 20 (2) acs.biomac.8b01196, 625-634. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01196
2018
Journal Article
Laser capture microdissection for detecting the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes in epithelial and spindle cells of paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed biphasic synovial sarcoma
Wang, Ning, Liu, Zi-Han, Zou, Hong, Pang, Li-Juan, Gu, Wen-Yi, Hu, Jian-Ming, Li, Dong-Mei, Zhao, Jin, Zhang, Jun, Liu, Chun-Xia, Zhang, Wen-Jie, Qi, Yan and Li, Feng (2018). Laser capture microdissection for detecting the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes in epithelial and spindle cells of paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed biphasic synovial sarcoma. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 45 (7), 675-682. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12936
2018
Journal Article
Optimization of formulations consisting of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and small interfering RNA for efficient knockdown of the target gene
Wu, Yanheng, Gu, Wenyi, Chen, Chen, Do, Son Trong and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Optimization of formulations consisting of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and small interfering RNA for efficient knockdown of the target gene. ACS Omega, 3 (5), 4871-4877. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00397
2018
Journal Article
Knocking down insulin receptor in pancreatic beta cell lines with lentiviral-small hairpin RNA reduces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via decreasing the gene expression of insulin, GLUT2 and Pdx1
Wang, Jie, Gu, Wenyi and Chen, Chen (2018). Knocking down insulin receptor in pancreatic beta cell lines with lentiviral-small hairpin RNA reduces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via decreasing the gene expression of insulin, GLUT2 and Pdx1. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19 (4) 985, 985. doi: 10.3390/ijms19040985
2018
Journal Article
A novel Notch1 missense mutation (C1133Y) in the Abruptex domain exhibits enhanced proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Zheng, Yang, Wang, Zhao, Ding, Xu, Zhang, Wei, Li, Gang, Liu, Laikui, Wu, Heming, Gu, Wenyi, Wu, Yunong and Song, Xiaomeng (2018). A novel Notch1 missense mutation (C1133Y) in the Abruptex domain exhibits enhanced proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell International, 18 (1) 6, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12935-017-0496-5
2018
Journal Article
One-pot synthesis of raspberry-like mesoporous silica nanospheres
Liu, Tingting, Liu, Lihong, Gu, Wenyi, Liu, Jian and Liu, Shaomin (2018). One-pot synthesis of raspberry-like mesoporous silica nanospheres. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 18 (1), 401-406. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2018.14607
2018
Journal Article
Overexpression of Polo-like kinase1 (PLK1) in chondrosarcoma and its implications for cancer progression
Li, Kelu, Ma, Hongmei, Zheng, Xiuyan, Hu, Yali, Wang, Yue, Zhang, Kunpeng, Chen, Jiahan, Qi, Yan, Jiang, Jinfang, Pang, Lijuan, Tao, Lin, Gu, Wenyi, Li, Feng and Zou, Hong (2018). Overexpression of Polo-like kinase1 (PLK1) in chondrosarcoma and its implications for cancer progression. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, 11 (3), 1707-1711.
2017
Journal Article
Combined Erlotinib and PF-03084014 treatment contributes to synthetic lethality in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Zheng, Yang, Wang, Zhao, Ding, Xu, Dong, Yibo, Zhang, Wei, Zhang, Wei, Zhong, Yi, Gu, Wenyi, Wu, Yunong and Song, Xiaomeng (2017). Combined Erlotinib and PF-03084014 treatment contributes to synthetic lethality in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Proliferation, 51 (3) e12424, e12424. doi: 10.1111/cpr.12424
2017
Journal Article
High adjuvant activity of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and nanosheets in anti-tumour vaccine formulations
Yan, Shiyu, Gu, Wenyi, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara E and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). High adjuvant activity of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles and nanosheets in anti-tumour vaccine formulations. Dalton Transactions, 47 (9), 2956-2964. doi: 10.1039/c7dt03725b
2017
Journal Article
Nanoformulations of albendazole as effective anticancer and antiparasite agents
Movahedi, Fatemeh, Li, Li, Gu, Wenyi and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Nanoformulations of albendazole as effective anticancer and antiparasite agents. Nanomedicine, 12 (20), 2555-2574. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0102
2017
Journal Article
Devising new lipid-coated calcium phosphate/carbonate hybrid nanoparticles for controlled release in endosomes for efficient gene delivery
Wu, Yilun, Gu, Wenyi, Tang, Jie and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Devising new lipid-coated calcium phosphate/carbonate hybrid nanoparticles for controlled release in endosomes for efficient gene delivery. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 5 (34), 7194-7203. doi: 10.1039/c7tb01635b
2017
Journal Article
Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenomena, cell motility, and cell invasion in synovial sarcoma cells
Qi, Yan, Wang, Ning, He, Yonglai, Zhang, Jun, Zou, Hong, Zhang, Wenjie, Gu, Wenyi, Huang, Yalan, Lian, Xiaojuan, Hu, Jianming, Zhao, Jin, Cui, Xiaobin, Pang, Lijuan and Li, Feng (2017). Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenomena, cell motility, and cell invasion in synovial sarcoma cells. PLoS One, 12 (8) e0182680, e0182680. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182680
2017
Journal Article
Novel insights into mitochondrial gene rearrangement in thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) from the grass thrips, Anaphothrips obscurus
Liu, Hangrui, Song, Fan, Gu, Wenyi, Feng, Jinian, Cai, Wanzhi and Shao, Renfu (2017). Novel insights into mitochondrial gene rearrangement in thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) from the grass thrips, Anaphothrips obscurus. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 4284, 4284. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04617-5
2017
Journal Article
Mannose-conjugated layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for targeted siRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy
Li, Li, Zhang, Run, Gu, Wenyi and Ping, Zhi (2017). Mannose-conjugated layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for targeted siRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 14 (7), 2355-2364. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.06.006
2017
Journal Article
Increased PD-L1 expression in breast and colon cancer stem cells
Wu, Yanheng, Chen, Mingshui, Wu, Peihong, Chen, Chen, Xu, Zhi Ping and Gu, Wenyi (2017). Increased PD-L1 expression in breast and colon cancer stem cells. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 44 (5), 602-604. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12732
2017
Journal Article
Prognostic value of the MicroRNA-29 family in multiple human cancers: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Qi, Yan, Huang, Yalan, Pang, Lijuan, Gu, Wenyi, Wang, Ning, Hu, Jianming, Cui, Xiaobin, Zhang, Jun, Zhao, Jin, Liu, Chunxia, Zhang, Wenjie, Zou, Hong and Li, Feng (2017). Prognostic value of the MicroRNA-29 family in multiple human cancers: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 44 (4), 441-454. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12726
2017
Journal Article
Drug resistance and cancer stem cells: the shared but distinct roles of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF1α and HIF2α
Schoning, Jennifer Petra, Monteiro, Michael and Gu, Wenyi (2017). Drug resistance and cancer stem cells: the shared but distinct roles of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF1α and HIF2α. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology, 44 (2), 153-161. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12693
2016
Journal Article
Short interfering RNA induced generation and translation of stable 5' mRNA cleavage intermediates
Singhania, Richa, Pavey, Sandra, Payne, Elizabeth, Gu, Wenyi, Clancy, Jennifer, Jubair, Luqman, Preiss, Thomas, Saunders, Nicholas and McMillan, Nigel A. J. (2016). Short interfering RNA induced generation and translation of stable 5' mRNA cleavage intermediates. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms, 1859 (8), 1034-1042. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.06.005
2016
Journal Article
Systematic identification, characterization and target gene analysis of microRNAs involved in osteoarthritis subchondral bone pathogenesis
Prasadam, Indira, Batra, Jyotsna, Perry, Samuel, Gu, Wenyi, Crawford, Ross and Xiao, Yin (2016). Systematic identification, characterization and target gene analysis of microRNAs involved in osteoarthritis subchondral bone pathogenesis. Calcified Tissue International, 99 (1), 43-55. doi: 10.1007/s00223-016-0125-7
2016
Journal Article
Efficient drug delivery using SiO2-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites
Li, Li, Gu, Zi, Gu, Wenyi, Liu, Jian and Xu, Zhi Ping (2016). Efficient drug delivery using SiO2-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 470, 47-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2016.02.042
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Wenyi Gu is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Identifying therapeutic targets and developing targeted cancer therapies for cancer stem cells
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Drug delivery with nanotechnology and RNA interference based thearpy
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Roles of surface expression of PD-L1 and the regulation by E2 in human endometrial and breast cancers
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Translational meaning of the efficacy of immunotherapies as neoadjuvants to treat Head and Neck cancers.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Merja Joensuu, Professor Michael Monteiro
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Doctor Philosophy
Roles of surface expression of PD-L1 and the regulation by E2 in human endometrial and breast cancers
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Nanoparticle Platforms for Targeted Delivery and Enhanced Immunity of DNA Vaccines Against Tumour Antigens
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of lipid-coated calcium phosphate (LCP) nanoparticles as albendazole carrier for cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting hypoxic cancer stem cells with nanoparticles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Cheng Zhang, Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Developing inorganic nanoplatforms for efficient siRNA delivery to improve cancer immunotherapy
Associate Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Developing lipid-coated calcium carbonate/phosphate hybrid nanoparticles as a gene/drug co-delivery platform for combined cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Developing layered double hydroxides into multi-functional vehicles for efficient anti-tumour vaccination
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Contribution of complement anaphylatoxin receptors to melanoma growth: potential therapeutic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Bio-inspired Virus-mimicking Nanoparticles for Efficient Cellular Delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Yu
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Designed synthesis of mono-dispersed silica-based nanostructures and their applications in drug/gene delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Yu
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Designer Mesoporous Silica Nano-carriers for Hydrophobic Drug Delivery with Enhanced Bioavailability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Yu
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
A Novel Platform Built on Designed Materials for Purification, Enrichment and Detection of Bio-Molecules
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Monteiro, Professor Michael Yu
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in mammary tumour growth: identification of new therapeutic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
RNAi against Virally-Induced Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Graham Leggatt
Media
Enquiries
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