Dr. Yu Qin is a distinguished cancer biologist and leading authority on tumor microenvironment research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As Principal Investigator of the Yu Laboratory, Dr. Qin directs a comprehensive research program focused on unraveling the complex molecular interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding stromal environment. With a PhD in molecular biology, Dr. Qin has established an exemplary research career spanning over two decades, building a world-class laboratory dedicated to identifying novel therapeutic targets within the tumor microenvironment. This academic journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of understanding the fundamental mechanisms that drive cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
Dr. Qin's seminal research has demonstrated the critical role of TIMP-1 in stimulating the accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts within prostate and colon tumors, revealing a previously underappreciated mechanism of tumor microenvironment remodeling that significantly influences disease progression. Their groundbreaking work on angiopoietins has established how increased expression of Angpt1, Angpt2, and Angpt4 promotes intraperitoneal growth of ovarian cancers and accelerates tumor progression in glioblastoma, substantially shortening survival in experimental models. Most recently, Dr. Qin's team has made significant contributions to understanding acyl-CoA transport mechanisms with their 2022 Cell Research publication providing structural insights into peroxisomal membrane transport by human ABCD1. These discoveries have collectively provided crucial insights into the molecular pathways governing tumor angiogenesis and stromal interactions, establishing Dr. Qin as a global leader in identifying therapeutic targets within the tumor microenvironment.
Beyond their research contributions, Dr. Qin has been instrumental in advancing cancer biology through collaborative networks and the mentorship of numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to establish independent research careers. The Yu Laboratory serves as an intellectual hub for innovative research at the intersection of tumor biology and microenvironmental interactions, consistently producing high-impact publications that shape the field's direction. Current research directions focus on identifying molecular determinants that play essential roles in cancer stem cell maintenance and tumor progression, with particular emphasis on translating basic discoveries into therapeutic opportunities. Dr. Qin continues to shape the intellectual landscape of cancer research through ongoing investigations that promise to yield novel approaches for disrupting the tumor-stromal interactions that drive aggressive disease phenotypes and therapeutic resistance.
