Personal information

Transcription regulation, Chromatin organization, Single-molecule imaging, enhancer-promoter interaction

Biography

Dr. Wulan Deng: Exploring the Dynamics of Gene Regulation by Live-cell super-resolution and single-molecule imaging

Dr. Wulan Deng, a dedicated scientist and assistant professor at the Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC) at Peking University, has made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology throughout her career. Her journey, which began at Peking University and included studies at the University of Pennsylvania, along with research roles at Janelia Research Campus and the University of California at Berkeley, has allowed her to contribute to pioneering research endeavors.

Education and Early Career

Dr. Deng's educational journey commenced at Peking University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2006. Her early undergraduate research on the interaction of rice dwarf virus outer capsid protein P8 with rice glycolate oxidase laid the foundation for her subsequent accomplishments in molecular biology.

In 2012, she completed her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on chromatin dynamics. Under the guidance of Dr. Gerd A. Blobel, her research included the exploration of long-range chromatin interactions and transcriptional activity at the native mammalian β-globin locus by targeted tethering of a looping factor. This work, acknowledged for its contribution to the understanding of chromatin looping and gene regulation, has been cited widely in the field.

Pioneering Research at Janelia Research Campus

Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Deng became a Research Specialist at the Transcription Imaging Consortium at Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), from 2013 to 2016. Her research, conducted in collaboration with a steering committee led by Dr. Robert Tjian and Dr. Robert H. Singer, aimed at repurposing CRISPR/Cas9 for imaging genomic DNA with fluorescence microscopy, further advancing molecular imaging techniques.

Innovations at Berkeley

Dr. Deng's next journey led her to the University of California at Berkeley, where she served as a postdoctoral researcher from 2016 to 2019. Under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Tjian and Dr. Xavier Darzacq, she conducted research on the single molecule dynamics of pioneering transcription factors in human embryonic stem cell differentiation. Her work shed light on the complex dynamics of transcription factors, significantly enhancing our comprehension of gene regulation.

Current Research Focus

Dr. Deng's research interest has evolved to encompass the use of super-resolution microscopy to study the fast dynamics of gene regulation in living cells. Her current work at BIOPIC revolves around unraveling the mysteries of how genes are regulated within living cells, employing cutting-edge super-resolution techniques to capture the rapid events that dictate gene expression.

Recognition and Awards

Throughout her career, Dr. Deng's dedicated work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship, the President Gutmann Leadership Award, and acknowledgments from organizations such as the American Society of Hematology and the Kavli Foundation.

Dr. Wulan Deng's journey from a curious undergraduate student to a devoted assistant professor is marked by her unwavering commitment to scientific excellence. Her research, which bridges fundamental biological principles and innovative applications, holds the potential to shape the future of molecular biology. As she continues her pioneering work at BIOPIC, her dedication to understanding gene regulation dynamics remains an inspiration to aspiring scientists worldwide.

- with help from ChatGPT

Activities

Employment (4)

Peking University: Beijing, Beijing, CN

2019-08 to present | Tenure-track Assistant Professor (Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC))
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Berkeley, CA, US

2016-09 to 2019-08 | Postdoctoral researcher
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Farm Research Campus: Ashburn, VA, US

2013-06 to 2016-09 | Research Specialist (Transcription Imaging Consortium (TIC))
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

University of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA, US

2013-01 to 2013-05 | Postdoctoral Fellow,
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Education and qualifications (2)

University of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

2006-07 to 2012-12 | Ph.D., Biology (Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Peking University: Beijing, Beijing, CN

2002-09 to 2006-07 | B.S., Biology (School of Life Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Professional activities (2)

Helen Hay Whitney Foundation: New City, New York, US

Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

American Society of Hematology: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, US

2010 | ASH Merit Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng

Works (19)

Mesoscale chromatin confinement facilitates target search of pioneer transcription factors in live cells

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
2025-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Zuhui Wang; Bo Wang; Di Niu; Chao Yin; Ying Bi; Claudia Cattoglio; Kyle M. Loh; Luke D. Lavis; Hao Ge; Wulan Deng
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Nuclear RNA homeostasis promotes systems-level coordination of cell fate and senescence

Cell Stem Cell
2024-05 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1934-5909
Contributors: Xue Han; Linqing Xing; Yantao Hong; Xuechun Zhang; Bo Hao; J. Yuyang Lu; Mengyuan Huang; Zuhui Wang; Shaoqian Ma; Ge Zhan et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

The transcriptional coactivator RUVBL2 regulates Pol II clustering with diverse transcription factors

Nature Communications
2022-09 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2041-1723
Contributors: Hui Wang; Boyuan Li; Linyu Zuo; Bo Wang; Yan Yan; Kai Tian; Rong Zhou; Chenlu Wang; Xizi Chen; Yongpeng Jiang et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Dynamic transcription regulation at the single-molecule level

Developmental Biology
2022-02 | Journal article
Contributors: Zuhui Wang; Wulan Deng
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Detecting Long-Range Enhancer–Promoter Interactions by Quantitative Chromosome Conformation Capture

Methods in Molecular Biology
2016-09 | Other
Part of ISSN: 1064-3745
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Gerd A. Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Forced chromatin looping raises fetal hemoglobin in adult sickle cells to higher levels than pharmacologic inducers

Blood
2016-08 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0006-4971
Contributors: Laura Breda; Irene Motta; Silvia Lourenco; Chiara Gemmo; Wulan Deng; Jeremy W. Rupon; Osheiza Y. Abdulmalik; Deepa Manwani; Gerd A. Blobel; Stefano Rivella
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Genetic Elements)

Encyclopedia of Genetics, Genomics, Proteomics and Informatics
2016-07 | Other
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Dynamics of CRISPR-Cas9 genome interrogation in living cells

Science
2015-11 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0036-8075
Contributors: Spencer C. Knight; Liangqi Xie; Wulan Deng; Benjamin Guglielmi; Lea B. Witkowsky; Lana Bosanac; Elisa T. Zhang; Mohamed El Beheiry; Jean-Baptiste Masson; Maxime Dahan et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

CASFISH: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated in situ labeling of genomic loci in fixed cells

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
2015-08 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0027-8424
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Xinghua Shi; Robert Tjian; Timothée Lionnet; Robert H. Singer
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Comparing Strategies to Reactivate Fetal Globin Expression for the Treatment of Beta-Globinopathies

Blood
2014 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0006-4971
Contributors: Laura Breda; Jeremy W. Rupon; Irene Motta; Wulan Deng; Gerd A. Blobel; Stefano Rivella
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Reactivation of Developmentally Silenced Globin Genes by Forced Chromatin Looping

Cell
2014-08 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0092-8674
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Jeremy W. Rupon; Ivan Krivega; Laura Breda; Irene Motta; Kristen S. Jahn; Andreas Reik; Philip D. Gregory; Stefano Rivella; Ann Dean et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Manipulating nuclear architecture

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
2014-04 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0959-437X
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Gerd A Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Controlling Long-Range Genomic Interactions to Reprogram the β-Globin Locus

Blood
2012-11 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0006-4971
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Jeremy W Rupon; Hongxin Wang; Andreas Reik; Philip D. Gregory; Gerd A Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Controlling Long-Range Genomic Interactions at a Native Locus by Targeted Tethering of a Looping Factor

Cell
2012-06 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0092-8674
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Jongjoo Lee; Hongxin Wang; Jeff Miller; Andreas Reik; Philip D. Gregory; Ann Dean; Gerd A. Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Acetylation-Dependent Interaction of GATA-1 with the Potential Mitotic “Bookmarking” Protein Brd3.

Blood
2010-11 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0006-4971
Contributors: Janine M Lamonica; Stephan Kadauke; Wulan Deng; Gerd Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Do chromatin loops provide epigenetic gene expression states?

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
2010-10 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0959-437X
Contributors: Wulan Deng; Gerd A Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Erythroid GATA1 function revealed by genome-wide analysis of transcription factor occupancy, histone modifications, and mRNA expression

Genome Research
2009-11-03 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1088-9051
Contributors: Yong Cheng; Weisheng Wu; Swathi Ashok Kumar; Duonan Yu; Wulan Deng; Tamara Tripic; David C. King; Kuan-Bei Chen; Ying Zhang; Daniela Drautz et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

SCL and associated proteins distinguish active from repressive GATA transcription factor complexes

Blood
2009-03-05 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0006-4971
Contributors: Tamara Tripic; Wulan Deng; Yong Cheng; Ying Zhang; Christopher R. Vakoc; Gregory D. Gregory; Ross C. Hardison; Gerd A. Blobel
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

The P2 capsid protein of the nonenveloped rice dwarf phytoreovirus induces membrane fusion in insect host cells

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
2007 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0027-8424
Contributors: Feng Zhou; Yingying Pu; Taiyun Wei; Huijun Liu; Wulan Deng; Chunhong Wei; Biao Ding; Toshihiro Omura; Yi Li
Source: Self-asserted source
Wulan Deng via Crossref Metadata Search

Peer review (1 review for 1 publication/grant)

Review activity for Nature methods. (1)