Dr. Chao Gao | Cancer Biotechnology | Young Researcher Award
Postdoctoral Fellow at Zhongshan Hospital | Fudan University | China
Dr. Chao Gao is a dedicated researcher specializing in liver cancer biology, small molecule drug development, and clinical translation of novel therapeutics. With strong expertise in biochemistry, structural biology, metabolomics, and drug resistance mechanisms, his career integrates fundamental science with translational applications. His work has significantly contributed to understanding tumor resistance pathways, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic strategies aimed at improving treatment outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma and related malignancies. Currently serving as a Research Associate at the Liver Cancer Institute of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, he continues to bridge cutting-edge laboratory research with clinical medicine.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Chao Gao earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Shandong University, where he ranked in the top of his class and focused on organic chemistry, exploring the extraction and bioactivity of natural plant compounds. He then pursued doctoral studies at Fudan University, obtaining his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with top distinction. His doctoral work under Prof. Fan Jia centered on liver cancer metabolism, therapeutic target identification, and molecular mechanisms of disease progression. Earlier in his doctoral training under Prof. Xu Yanhui, he gained expertise in structural biology and Cryo-EM approaches for understanding protein structure in DNA repair, epigenetics, and neurodegenerative disease contexts.
Experience
Following his Ph.D., Dr. Chao Gao served as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation at Zhongshan Hospital. His research focused on the drug resistance mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma, where he successfully identified tumor drug resistance targets via single-cell transcriptomics and developed potential small-molecule inhibitors for clinical application. he transitioned to the role of Research Associate at the same hospital, where he currently leads efforts in small molecule drug transformation and preclinical drug candidate development. His responsibilities include compound selection, hit validation, optimization, and Investigational New Drug (IND) application preparation, integrating multidisciplinary collaborations across toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and formulations. He has also contributed patents related to tumor drug resistance and targeted small-molecule inhibitors.
Research Interest
Dr. Chao Gao research interests lie at the intersection of tumor metabolism, drug resistance, and therapeutic innovation. He focuses on elucidating the molecular basis of hepatocellular carcinoma resistance to kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy, with the aim of developing targeted interventions that restore treatment efficacy. His projects extend to structural biology, exosome-mediated signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and immune microenvironment modulation. In addition, he explores CRISPR-based cancer models and multi-omics strategies, leveraging transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. He is also deeply engaged in translational research, ensuring that his discoveries advance from bench to bedside.
Awards
Dr. Chao Gao has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to biomedical research. He was named one of the Top Ten Medical Youth of Fudan University, reflecting his impact and promise in clinical and translational medicine. He was awarded the Shanghai Postdoctoral Daily Funding Support, and earlier, the First-Class Scholarship for Outstanding Doctoral Candidates of Fudan University. His leadership and service were also acknowledged with titles such as Advanced Worker and Outstanding Individual of Fudan University Postgraduate Association. During his undergraduate years, he received the President Scholarship Candidate Award of Shandong University and the Provincial First Prize in the Challenge Cup.
Publications Top Notes
Dr. Chao Gao has published extensively in high-impact journals, advancing the understanding of liver cancer resistance and therapy. A representative selection of seven publications includes:
Title: KSR2-14-3-3ζ complex serves as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target in sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.
Year: 2022
Title: Current applications and future perspective of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cancer.
Year: 2022
Title: Cancer cell-derived exosomal circUHRF1 induces natural killer cell exhaustion and may cause resistance to anti-PD1 therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Year: 2020
Title: USP1 Maintains the Survival of Liver Circulating Tumor Cells by Deubiquitinating and Stabilizing TBLR1.
year: 2020
Title: Amplification of spatially isolated adenosine pathway by tumor-macrophage interaction induces anti-PD1 resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Year: 2021
Title: Structural insights into the activation of ATM kinase.
Year: 2019
Title: Allele-selective lowering of mutant HTT protein by HTT-LC3 linker compounds.
Title: 2019
Conclusion
In summary, Dr. Chao Gao is an accomplished researcher who has made impactful contributions to the fields of liver cancer biology, structural biology, and translational therapeutics. His work integrates fundamental molecular research with clinical applications, particularly in combating drug resistance and enhancing immunotherapy efficacy. Through his leadership in national and institutional research projects, numerous high-impact publications, and recognition with prestigious awards, he continues to establish himself as a promising figure in biomedical research. With ongoing projects in multi-omics, drug resistance reversal, and immune microenvironment modulation, his career trajectory reflects both depth in scientific inquiry and commitment to translational medicine that directly benefits patient care.