Dr. Yuan Ma | Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Ma Yuan demonstrated an early passion for pharmaceutical sciences, embarking on his academic journey at Peking University. He earned a Bachelor of Science (2009-2013), majoring in organic chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical analysis. Advancing his expertise, he pursued a Master of Science (2013-2015) at the Stake Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, focusing on DNA synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and tumor pharmacology. His master’s thesis explored the stability of D-/L-IsoNA modified siRNA under the mentorship of Prof. Zhenjun Yang. Driven by a deep interest in nucleic acid chemistry and drug development, Ma Yuan completed a Doctor of Philosophy (2015-2019) at the same institution, where he investigated novel nucleoside lipid delivery for single-stranded oligonucleotides, again under Prof. Zhenjun Yang.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Building on his strong academic foundation, Ma Yuan transitioned into cutting-edge research and drug discovery. His professional career began as an Associate Research Fellow (2019-2020) at the Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, where he focused on nucleic acid-based diagnostics and treatment for primary liver cancer. He then moved to Hong Kong Baptist University, serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2020-2022) and later as a Research Assistant Professor (2022-Present) at the Institute for Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug. His work in aptamer-based translational research and drug discovery has made significant contributions to the field of targeted therapy and precision medicine.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Pharmacology 

Ma Yuan’s research is deeply embedded in the development of aptamer-based therapeutics, a revolutionary approach in cancer treatment and drug delivery. His work bridges organic chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, and pharmacology, leading to breakthroughs in tumor-targeted therapies, nucleic acid-based drug modifications, and controlled drug release mechanisms. He has developed peptide aptamer-drug conjugates, explored hypoxia-potentiating agents, and innovated in bone anabolic aptamer therapies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With a multidisciplinary approach spanning pharmaceutical chemistry, cancer therapy, and precision medicine, Ma Yuan’s research is shaping the future of personalized healthcare. His findings have contributed to improving drug efficacy, reducing side effects, and enhancing targeted delivery systems, significantly impacting the field of oncology and regenerative medicine.

📚 Academic Citations & Publications

Ma Yuan has authored over 34 research papers in high-impact journals, including Acta Materia Medica, Cancer Letters, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. His work has been cited extensively, reinforcing his influence in the field of nucleic acid drug discovery. His contributions as a first author, co-first author, and corresponding author highlight his leadership in scientific research.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Ma Yuan has received numerous accolades recognizing his excellence in pharmaceutical sciences and translational research. His research in aptamer-functionalized drug delivery systems and targeted cancer therapies has earned him global recognition.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a pioneering researcher in nucleic acid-based therapies, Ma Yuan continues to push the boundaries of aptamer technology. His ongoing work in translational medicine, drug development, and biomolecular engineering promises to revolutionize cancer treatment, targeted drug delivery, and precision medicine. With his innovative approach and commitment to scientific advancement, he is set to leave a lasting impact on the future of personalized medicine.

Publications Top Notes

1. Machine Learning-Powered, High-Affinity Modification Strategies for Aptamers 🧠🔬

   • Journal: Acta Materia Medica
   • Year: 2025 📅

2. Peptide Aptamer–Paclitaxel Conjugates for Tumor Targeted Therapy 🎯💊

   • Journal: Pharmaceutics
   • Year: 2024 📅

3. Developing Stapled Aptamers with a Constrained Conformation for Osteogenesis Imperfect Therapeutics 🦴🧬

   • Journal: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
   • Year: 2024 📅

4. Targeting Osteoblastic 11β-HSD1 to Combat High-Fat Diet-Induced Bone Loss and Obesity 🍔➡️🦴

   • Journal: Nature Communications
   • Year: 2024 📅

5. Aptamer Functionalized Hypoxia-Potentiating Agent and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Inhibitor Combined with Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug for Enhanced Tumor Therapy 🎯🦠

   • Journal: Cancer Letters
   • Year: 2024 📅

6. Sclerostin Inhibition in Rare Bone Diseases 🦴💊

   • Journal: Journal of Orthopaedic Translation
   • Year: 2024 📅

7. Advancing Targeted Combination Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Nucleolin Aptamer-Mediated Controlled Drug Release 🎯💊

   • Journal: Journal of Translational Medicine
   • Year: 2024 📅

8. Small RNAs in Cancer Therapy 🧬🎗️

   • Book Chapter: Interdisciplinary Cancer Research
   • Year: 2024 📅

9. Aptamer AS411 Interacts with the KRAS Promoter/hnRNP A1 Complex and Shows Increased Potency Against Drug-Resistant Lung Cancer 🫁💊

   • Journal: RSC Medicinal Chemistry
   • Year: 2024 📅

10. Design and Synthesis of Nucleotidyl Lipids and Their Application in the Targeted Delivery of siG12D for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy 🎯🩸

• Journal: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
• Year: 2024 📅

11. Unique Quinoline Orientations Shape the Modified Aptamer to Sclerostin for Enhanced Binding Affinity and Bone Anabolic Potential 🦴🔬

• Journal: Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids
• Year: 2024 📅

12. The Modification Strategies for Enhancing the Metabolic Stabilities and Pharmacokinetics of Aptamer Drug Candidates 🧪🩺

• Book Chapter: Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics
• Year: 2024 📅

13. Intracellular Sclerostin Plays a Vital Role in Tumor Progression and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer 🎗️🦠

• Journal: Cancer Research
• Year: 2024 📅