Yun Nancy Huang
Assistant Professor
Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention
Contact
Translational Medical Sciences
2121 W. Holcombe Blvd.
Houston,
TX
77030-3303
yun.huang@tamu.edu
Phone: 713.677.7484
Fax: 713.677.7784
Biography
Dr. Huang is currently an Assistant Professor at the Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences & Technology, Texas A&M University. Her long-term goal is to elucidate the molecular basis of epigenetic changes in the human genome and to develop novel therapies by targeting aberrant DNA methylation and demethylation associated with human diseases, including cancer, immunoinflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.Dr. Huang's laboratory is focused on elucidating the physiological and pathophysiological functions of TET2 protein and its 5-methylcytosine oxidation products (5hmC, 5fC and 5caC) in cancer and development (Nature Genet 2014; Trends in Genetics 2014)
Education and Training
- Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, MD, 2003
- Georgia State University, PhD & MS, 2008
Research Interests
- Imbalanced DNA methylation/demethylation results in abnormal gene expression and increased genome instability, which is frequently observed in human cancers. Dr. Huang ’s research interests are directed towards understanding how DNA methylation/demethylation balance is maintained in mammals and how aberrant DNA methylation and its oxidation products contribute to human cancer. Dr. Huang’s ongoing research includes using high-throughput sequencing to study the DNA modifications in human cancer, elucidating the role of DNA modification enzymes in mouse models, and exploring novel anti-cancer or preventive strategies by targeting key epigenetic pathways. Dr. Huang has significantly contributed to the functional characterization of the ten eleven translocation (TET) enzymes in hematological malignancies. Dr. Huang also pioneered the use of innovative tools to probe the “sixth DNA base”, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), in the human genome and was among the first to profile the hydroxylmethylome in mouse embryonic stem cells. Her recent studies related to TET enzyme and 5hmC resulted in more than 15 peer-reviewed publications in top scientific journals and over 1,700 citations. She was recruited to the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences & Technology as a CPRIT scholar in 2014.