Mr. Jiyuan Ke | Cancer research | Best Researcher Award

Investigator at Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, China

Dr. Jiyuan Ke is a distinguished structural biologist and cancer researcher whose career spans over two decades of impactful contributions to protein science and cancer therapeutics. He is currently serving as Principal Investigator at the Institute of Health and Medicine (IHM), Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, where he leads cutting-edge research on cancer biology and drug discovery. His extensive body of work has focused on elucidating the structural and functional mechanisms of proteins and protein complexes with critical roles in cancer and other human diseases, emphasizing translational research for targeted and immunotherapeutic treatments.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Ke began his academic journey at the University of Science and Technology of China, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in molecular biology. He later pursued doctoral studies at Purdue University in the United States, receiving his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Biochemistry in 2004. His graduate research focused on the structure-function relationships of metabolic enzymes and viral proteins, laying a strong foundation for his later endeavors in structural biology.

Experience

Upon earning his doctorate, Dr. Ke completed postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from 2004 to 2007, where he investigated the roles of Src and MAP kinases in B lymphoma development. He then joined the Van Andel Institute as a Scientist (2007–2016), where he conducted seminal work on the structural biology of various signaling proteins, including folate receptors, AMPK kinases, and Wnt signaling modulators. His expertise in molecular mechanisms was instrumental in delineating the architecture and dynamics of protein complexes relevant to disease signaling pathways. From 2016 to 2021, Dr. Ke transitioned into pharmaceutical research, holding positions at NewLink Genetics and H3 Biomedicine Inc. In these roles, he contributed to structure-based drug discovery programs, focusing on cancer immunotherapies and targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates and epigenetic modulators. Since 2022, as a Principal Investigator at IHM, Dr. Ke has continued his commitment to advancing basic cancer research and therapeutic innovation.

Research

Dr. Ke’s research interests lie at the intersection of structural biology, cancer signaling, and drug discovery. He focuses on the structure-function relationships of protein complexes involved in cancer pathways, including protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. He also investigates the epigenetic regulation mechanisms relevant to cancer, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting oncogenic enzymes and signaling nodes. His translational work bridges the gap between molecular insights and therapeutic applications, contributing to the development of new anti-cancer agents.

Awards

Throughout his career, Dr. Ke has received accolades and recognition for his research excellence. While specific awards are not listed here, his nomination for this honor reflects his influence in both academic and pharmaceutical research communities. His work is widely respected and frequently cited, with a current H-index of 27 and over 4,000 citations, underscoring the scientific impact of his research contributions.

Publications

Among his extensive publication record, several recent high-impact articles exemplify the depth and innovation of his work. Notable publications include:

1. Zhao J et al., 2025 – p38 MAPK–mediated upregulation of claudin-3 and claudin-4 by gemcitabine contributes to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer (International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology; accepted). This article underscores chemoresistance mechanisms and was cited by 3 studies.

2. Jin Y et al., 2024 – Structural and biochemical characterization of a nucleotide hydrolase from Streptococcus pneumonia (Structure). This study advanced microbial enzymology and was cited by 7 articles.

3. Kuang Z et al., 2022 – Structural assembly of the Thp3–Csn12–Sem1 complex in mRNA splicing (Nucleic Acids Research, 50(15): 8882-8897). This work has been cited by 10 publications.

4. Brawn RA et al., 2020 – Aminopyrazole derivatives as FGFR2/3 inhibitors (ACS Med Chem Lett, 12(1):93–98), cited by 12 articles.

5. Wang J et al., 2020 – Structure of the platelet glycoprotein Ib receptor with Agkisacucetin (Blood), featured as the cover article and cited by 25 articles.

6. Xue L et al., 2020 – Oligomeric structures of YoeB–YefM complex (Nucleic Acids Research, 48(18):10527–10541), cited by 18 studies.

7. Yao S et al., 2020 – Small molecule inhibition of CPS1 through an allosteric pocket (Cell Chem Biol, 27(3):259–268.e5), with 22 citations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Jiyuan Ke exemplifies the caliber of a visionary scientist who seamlessly integrates structural biology with drug discovery to confront the complexities of cancer. His journey from academic laboratories to translational industry research and back to a leadership role in national science illustrates his adaptability, rigor, and enduring commitment to medical advancement. As a prolific researcher, dedicated mentor, and innovative thinker, Dr. Ke continues to shape the future of cancer therapeutics through his structural insights and collaborative impact. His nomination for this award is a recognition not only of his past achievements but also of his ongoing potential to transform cancer research and treatment.