Molecular Cell Biology, Organelle Biogenesis and Membrane Trafficking

Dr. Chao-Wen Wang is a cell biologist specializing in organelle dynamics and membrane traffic. She studies autophagy in Dr. Daniel Klionsky's lab for her Ph.D. For her postdoc training, she joined Dr. Randy Schekman's lab at UC Berkeley and employed a reconstitute approach to reveal a novel protein coat that traffic proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane. Since her affiliation with IPMB, Academia Sinica in 2007, Dr. Chao-Wen Wang's research has predominantly focused on unraveling the mechanisms governing the dynamics of lipid droplets in yeast and the nematode C. elegans. Her group employs approaches encompassing biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics to investigate cellular and developmental processes, shedding new light on the molecular foundations of fat packaging and mobilization. Dr. Chao-Wen Wang also extends her expertise in membrane dynamics beyond lipid droplet research, applying her knowledge to diverse cell biological contexts. Dr. Chao-Wen Wang joined Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University in August, 2023. The new team will build upon established efforts, contributing novel perspectives to advance the study of lipid droplet and membrane dynamics.

RESEARCH FOCUSES

Lipid droplet biogenesis and lipid homeostasis

The cellular lipid droplet (LD) stores neutral lipids to maintain lipid homeostasis, and its exploration has flourished in recent years. Across various cell types, the size and number of LDs exhibit variations, reflecting distinct functional roles of lipid metabolism in different cellular contexts. LDs actively engage with nearly all organelles, orchestrating lipid transfer and metabolism. As our understanding of LDs expands to encompass biological functions beyond lipid metabolism, it becomes evident that LDs should not be narrowly considered merely as lipid metabolic organelles.
Our research endeavors are directed towards gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing LD assembly and mobilization and uncovering the underlying regulatory principles. We employ budding yeast as our model system, leveraging its robust genetic capabilities to screen for mutants and systematically dissect the functions of LD proteins. We use cell-free systems to reconstruct protein functions within the diverse lipid milieu.

Lipids and membrane cell biology

Lipids form the fundamental composition of biological membranes. Each organelle, with its distinctive shape and specialized functions, possesses a unique combination of membrane lipids and proteome. Our focus lies in understanding how different membrane lipids contribute to the establishment of organelle identity, influencing the structure and function of membrane proteins, and participating in cellular activities. To address these questions, we manipulate cellular lipid composition though modulating lipid enzymes and integrate genetics, biochemistry, lipidomic, and cell biology tools to examine how cells response to perturbations in lipid levels.

2014 Academia Sinica Career Development Award
2012 Academia Sinica Young Scholar Publication Award
2012 Wu Chien-Shiung Foundation Taiwan Young Female Scientist Award