Prof. Tianmin Fu, Atomic Structure, Best Researcher Award

Professor at The Ohio State University, United States

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🎓Educational Background 

Dr. Fu’s academic journey unfolded at some of China’s most prestigious institutions, where he established a strong foundation in biological sciences. He completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Peking University, Beijing, China, between 2005 and 2011. His remarkable performance earned him the distinction of graduating Magna cum laude, highlighting his exceptional academic achievements.Earlier, Dr. Fu obtained his B.S. in Biological Sciences from Shandong University, Jinan, China, from 2001 to 2005. Throughout his educational career, Dr. Fu was recognized with numerous scholarships and fellowships, underscoring his early academic promise and commitment to advancing research in the field of biological sciences.

🔬Research Focus 

Dr. Fu’s research centers on the structural and mechanistic study of lysosomal signaling and immune signaling. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques such as Cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR, and super-resolution microscopy, he aims to unravel these crucial biological pathways. His innovative integration of biochemical, biophysical, and cellular methods keeps him at the cutting-edge of research in biological chemistry. 🧪

Key Techniques: Cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR, and super-resolution microscopy

🌍Professional Experience

Dr. Fu’s career spans several prestigious positions, reflecting his significant contributions to biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology. Since 2020, he has been an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where he continues to lead innovative research. Before this, from 2017 to 2020, he worked as a Research Associate at the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, contributing to groundbreaking research in molecular medicine. During this period, he also served as an Instructor at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (2016-2020). Earlier in his career, Dr. Fu was a Research Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital (2012-2017) and a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medical College (2011-2012). Throughout these roles, he had the privilege of working under Dr. Hao Wu, further enhancing his expertise in immune signaling.

🏆Honors and Awards 

Dr. Fu’s contributions to biochemistry and biological research have earned him numerous accolades. In 2024, he was honored with the Kenneth Fong Young Investigator Award from the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America. He also received the Research Excellence Award from Harvard Medical School CSSA in 2019 and the Best Poster Award at the PCMM Retreat at Boston Children’s Hospital in the same year. Although he was offered the Presidential Young Professorship from the National University of Singapore in 2019, Dr. Fu chose to decline the position. His early academic prowess is underscored by his Magna cum laude graduation from Peking University in 2011. These honors demonstrate his dedication to advancing the biochemical sciences.

💰Research Grants 

Dr. Fu has been instrumental in securing several major research grants, which have allowed him to explore critical biological mechanisms. As the Principal Investigator, he was awarded the NIGMS R35 GM147465-01 grant (2022-2027), which focuses on the molecular mechanisms of V-ATPases—including their assembly, biogenesis, regulation, and function. In addition, as a Co-Investigator, he contributed to the NCI R01 CA262069 grant (2021-2026), aimed at targeting the GRP94-TGF-beta pathway for cancer immunotherapy, and the NIDCD R01 DC021469 grant (2024-2029), which investigates mechanosensitive channels in inner ear hair cells. These grants underscore Dr. Fu’s leadership in scientific research and his commitment to understanding complex cell signaling and disease pathways.

Publications Top Noted📄

Assembly-mediated activation of the SIR2-HerA supramolecular complex for anti-phage defense

Authors: Shen, Z., Lin, Q., Yang, X.-Y., Fosuah, E., Fu, T.-M.
Journal: Molecular Cell
Year: 2023

Plasmodium falciparum utilizes pyrophosphate to fuel an essential proton pump in the ring stage and the transition to trophozoite stage

Authors: Solebo, O., Ling, L., Nwankwo, I., Fu, T.-M., Ke, H.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2023

Molecular mechanisms of Holliday junction branch migration catalyzed by an asymmetric RuvB hexamer

Authors: Rish, A.D., Shen, Z., Chen, Z., Zheng, Q., Fu, T.-M.
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2023

Structural basis for the self-recognition of sDSCAM in Chelicerata

Authors: Cheng, J., Yu, Y., Wang, X., Fu, T.-M., Chen, Q.
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2023

TMEM63 proteins function as monomeric high-threshold mechanosensitive ion channels

Authors: Zheng, W., Rawson, S., Shen, Z., Fu, T.-M., Holt, J.R.
Journal: Neuron
Year: 2023