Internationally recognized authority on cancer research and genome organization Feng Yue, PhD, to speak April 28

Yue is the 2025 Mark Brothers Award winner

Feng Yue, PhD, a renowned scientist from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, will speak at Indiana University School of Medicine on April 28. Open to the entire IU School of Medicine community, including faculty, trainees, learners and staff, the presentation is an opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field of cancer research and genome organization.

Who is Feng Yue, PhD?

Yue is a world-renowned scientist who studies how the arrangement of DNA inside cells affects cancer. Specifically, he has made important discoveries about how the 3D structure of genetic material can influence the development of cancer. By using advanced tools like CRISPR, which allows scientists to edit genes, and machine learning, which helps analyze large amounts of data, Yue has found ways to potentially reverse the changes in cancer cells with specific drugs.

Yue is:

• Founding director of the Center for Cancer Genomics at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University
• Director of the Center for Advanced Molecular Analysis at Northwestern’s Institute for Augmented Intelligence in Medicine
• Duane and Susan Burnham Professor of Molecular Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Pathology at Feinberg School of Medicine

Groundbreaking discoveries

In 2012, Yue was a key contributor to a groundbreaking discovery that changed our understanding of the human genome. The team found that the genome is organized into large regions called topologically associating domains (TADs). These TADs are essential for the proper functioning of genes and their regulatory elements. Disruptions in TAD boundaries can lead to altered gene expression, which can cause developmental diseases and cancer. This discovery has been highly influential, with more than 5,700 citations, and has laid the foundation for further studies on the 3D genome in human diseases.

Impact on cancer research

Yue's research has demonstrated how changes in the 3D structure of a patient's genome can contribute to cancer development. His work has provided insights into several types of cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia, pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, pediatric brain tumors and bladder cancer. By understanding these mechanisms, Yue's research has the potential to identify new therapeutic targets and improve cancer treatment.

A leader in computational biology

In addition to his work on the 3D genome, Yue is a global leader in computational biology. He and his team have developed several innovative algorithms that are widely used in the scientific community. For example, they created the first software to predict structural variations in cancer genomes using Hi-C data and developed a deep-learning algorithm for this purpose. These tools are powerful for studying cancer and identifying critical variations that could lead to new treatments.

Collaborative projects and leadership

Yue has also been a leader in multiple large-scale international collaborative projects, such as the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, the 4D Nucleome Project (4DN) and the Impact of Genetic Variants (IGVF) consortium. He has coordinated an effort involving more than 140 scientists worldwide and has played a key role in integrating data and leading these initiatives.

Awards and recognition

Yue's innovative research and scientific leadership have earned him numerous prestigious awards. Notably, in 2019, he was nominated by the National Human Genome Research Institute to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on early-career science and engineering professionals. This award is a testament to his accomplishments and his promise as a leading scientist.