🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
MA Yuan’s academic journey began at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (2009-2013), specializing in organic chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical analysis. He continued his education at the Stake Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, completing a Master of Science (2013-2015) with a focus on DNA synthesis, advanced medicinal chemistry, and tumor pharmacology. His Ph.D. (2015-2019) at the same institution delved into nucleic acid chemistry, advanced organic chemistry, and natural pharmaceutical chemistry, culminating in a thesis on the properties, biological activity, and mechanism of novel nucleoside (acid) lipid delivery of single-stranded oligonucleotides under the mentorship of Prof. Zhenjun Yang.
💼 Professional Endeavors
Dr. MA Yuan’s professional career spans prestigious institutions. Since 2022, he has been a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute for Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug, Hong Kong Baptist University, leading aptamer-based translational research and drug discovery. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2020-2022) at the same institution and an Associate Research Fellow (2019-2020) at Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, where he contributed to nucleic acid-based diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Biochemistry
Dr. MA Yuan’s research primarily focuses on aptamer-based drug discovery, nucleic acid chemistry, and translational medicine. His expertise spans nucleic acid-based therapies, precision medicine, and advanced pharmaceutical formulations. He has supervised multiple postgraduate students, contributing to groundbreaking studies in triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer therapy, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Through his research, Dr. MA Yuan has secured major research grants exceeding HK$ 51 million from institutions such as the Research Grants Council and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His work has contributed significantly to novel drug discoveries and advancements in precision medicine. He also holds three patents for innovations in nucleic acid drug delivery and targeted cancer treatments.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. MA Yuan has received several prestigious awards and recognitions, including Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations from the FDA for his contributions to osteogenesis imperfecta and gastric cancer treatments.
📚Academic Citations
Dr. MA Yuan has authored 35 peer-reviewed publications in esteemed journals, furthering knowledge in nucleic acid chemistry, aptamer-based therapies, and pharmacology. His work has been widely cited, reflecting its impact on biomedical research and pharmaceutical sciences.