Professor Chen Chen from Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Visited APM

    On February 4, 2026, renowned cardiologist and molecular biologist Prof. Chen Chen from Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, delivered a keynote lecture  "New Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies of Non-coding RNA Mediating Heart Failure" at the New Spectroscopy Building (M1819). Hosted by Prof. Xin Zhou of the Ultra-sensitive Magnetic Resonance Group, the event convened researchers and students to explore cutting-edge advancements in cardiovascular disease research.The report was chaired by Prof. Daiqin Chen.

    Prof. Chen Chen’s research focuses on molecular cardiology and translational medicine, with an emphasis on elucidatingnon-coding RNA-mediated metabolic and immune dysregulation in heart failure pathogenesis. She has led projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Programs A/B and Key Joint Fund) and the Hubei Provincial Innovation Group. Her work has been published in high-impact journals including Circulation, European Heart Journal, and Circulation Research, and has been incorporated into 9 global expert consensus guidelines. With over 4,700 citations and an H-index of 39 (Clarivate Analytics), her contributions have been recognized through continuous inclusion in the "Top 2% Global Scientists List" (2018–2023). Prof. Chen holds editorial roles as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Drug Discovery and Pharmacology and Board Memberfor Fundamental Research and the British Journal of Pharmacology. Her innovations include 13 patented technologies (4 commercialized), and she serves on key committees such as theChinese Society of Pathophysiology Cardiovascular Committee, the International Heart Research Society Translational Medicine Committee, the Asian Heart Society Cardiovascular Science Committee, and the Chinese Society of Biophysics RNA Therapy Branch.

    In her presentation, Prof. Chen first highlighted the core challenge in current heart failure research and clinical management: traditional studies have overly focused on individual molecular targets or signaling pathways, limiting our ability to systematically elucidate the complex interplay of metabolic and immune dysregulation driving disease progression—and thus restricting the efficacy of existing interventions. She then introduced an innovative multi-organelle framework for analyzing non-coding RNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in heart failure. This approach shifts from conventional cytoplasm-centric views to investigate subcellular compartments (e.g., mitochondria, nuclei), enabling a comprehensive exploration of how non-coding RNAs exert distinct regulatory roles across cellular compartments.

      In addition, Prof. Chen outlined cutting-edge advancements in non-coding RNA research, detailing how these molecules regulate distinct subcellular structures (e.g., mitochondria, lysosomes) and modulate energy metabolism pathways during heart failure progression. She emphasized key translational barriers, including optimizing delivery systems,validating biomarkers, and addressing off-target effects, while proposing strategies to bridge bench-to-bedside gaps.

    Following the lecture, Prof. Chen engaged in a dynamic Q&A session, addressing questions on non-coding RNA’s tissue specificity, therapeutic targeting precision, and scalable models for clinical application. Participants highlighted the talk’s role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating innovation in cardiovascular RNA therapeutics.