Jun-An Chen, PH.D.

Dr. Jun-An Chen received his BSc in Chemistry from National Chung-Cheng University in Taiwan. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan, where he leads a research group focused on understanding neuronal development and degeneration. Specifically, Dr. Chen's research examines three major areas: 1) microRNA and patterning in the developing spinal cord; 2) Non-coding RNAs and motor neuron subtype generation and degeneration; and 3) Applying non-coding RNAs to differentiate motor neuron subtypes from embryonic stem cells. He also studies the molecular mechanism by which RNA decay controls anaerobic cell growth. Dr. Chen has published extensively on these topics in high-impact journals in his field and has been cited over 560 times on Google Scholar, indicating his significant influence. His lab is currently investigating how microRNAs regulate neuronal subtype specification and maturation; the role of RNA binding proteins in motor neuron degeneration; using microRNAs to direct motor neuron differentiation of embryonic stem cells; and developing tools to study RNA decay and anaerobic metabolism. Through his innovative research applying non-coding RNAs, Dr. Chen aims to advance our understanding of neuronal development and neurodegenerative diseases, with the goal of developing new therapies. His work also has broad potential for regenerative medicine.