Chia Lin WEI, Ph.D.
Senior Group Leader
weicl@gis.a-star.edu.sg

 

RESEARCH FOCUS
 

My research interest is to apply novel cloning approach and the next generation sequencing platform to characterize functional elements in complex genomes. Within the Genome Technology and Biology group, as part of overall goals to understand the transcriptome dynamics and regulatoin, my focus is to characterize transcriptomes, define transcriptional regulatory networks and interrogate epigenetic landmark in stem cells, cancer cells and model organisms. In addition to all the coding transcripts, we also are interested in the integration and maximize the applications and efficiency of the next generation of sequencing technologies. I am also actively involving in examining the genome structural vairations associated with carcinogenesis. With the automation platform and efficient gene discovery pipeline, we expect to extend from the transcriptome study to the high throughput functional genomic program in the near future.

 

EDUCATION

1989-1994 Ph.D. Microbiology,University of California at Davis.
Dissertation: Cloning and characterization of eukaryotic translational initiation factor eIF-1A: Analysis of its role in protein synthesis. Advisor: Dr. John W.B. Hershey
1984-1994 B.S. Medical Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, R. O. C.

 

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

4/2004 – PresentSenior Group Leader, Genome Technology & Biology
2002-dateGroup Leader,Clone Production & Management, Genome Institute of Singapore. Genome wide transcriptome cloning and sequencing
2002Group Leader, Molecular Biology, Odyssey Pharmaceuticals. R&D, HTP clone production platform. Mammalian Protein Complementation Assays. Worked with Dr. Anthony Carrano V.P. of Research
1998-2002Group Leader, Senior Scientist Genomics, Large Scale Biology Corp. R&D, cDNA library technology development & target gene discovery. Worked with Dr. Yijun Ruan, Director.
1990-1994Research Assistant, University of California at Davis. Cloning of eukaryotic translational initiation factor eIF-1A from Homo sapiens and S cerevisae.
Analysis of its role in protein synthesis and cell growth using biochemical and genetic approaches. Worked with Dr. John W. B. Hershey
1988-1989Research Assistant,Natl. Acad. Sci., Taiwan R. O. C. Studied the interaction between the promoter region of the large surface protein gene of human hepatitis B virus and a liver specific nuclear factor by site-directed mutagenesis. Worked with Dr. Ling-Pai Ting.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

1994Cabot Award, MIT
1995Lucille P. Markey Fellowship, MIT
2006Singapore National Science Award

 

EXTERNAL GRANT
 

20060101-20071231 ZGC by NIH/NIDDK (US $560.000)
2006-2011 Establish medeka as a model for stem cell research by BMRC (S$200,000)
20050901-20080831 ENCODE Technology development by NIH/NHGRI (US $ 1,050,000)

 

PATENTS

2007 Patent application No. 07251006.8-2403 : Nucleic Acid Interaction Analysis   (Filed)
2004 US Patent application No. 10/664,234. : Gene Identification Signature (GIS) Analysis   (Filed)
2004 PCT/SG2004/000174 : Method of dignosing SARS corona virus infection   (Filed)
2003 Patent application No. 60/464,965 : Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome   (Filed)
2003 Patent application No. 60/466056 and 60/468062 : Identification of genetic variations among SARS   (Filed)
2002 Patent P015405GB : 5’&3’LongSAGE   (Granted)
2001 No. 00801.0197.NPUS00 : Colony array-based cDNA library normalization b   (Filed)
2001 Patent application No. 00801.0206.NPUS00 : Method for generating full-length coding sequen   (Filed)

 

COMPLETE PUBLICATION LIST

1.   Chen Xi, Xu Han, Yuan Ping, Fang Fang, Huss Mikael, Vega Vinsensius B, Wong Eleanor, Orlov Yuriy L, Zhang Weiwei, Jiang Jianming, Loh Yuin-Han, Yeo Hock Chuan, Yeo Zhen Xuan, Narang Vipin, Govindarajan Kunde Ramamoorthy, Leong Bernard, Shahab Atif, Ruan Yijun, Bourque Guillaume, Sung Wing-Kin, Clarke Neil D, Wei Chia-Lin, Ng Huck-Hui "Integration of external signaling pathways with the core transcriptional network in embryonic stem cells." Cell 2008 Jun 13 ; 133(6) : 1106-17
 
2.   Zhao Xiaodong, Ruan Yijun, Wei Chia-Lin "Tackling the epigenome in the pluripotent stem cells." J Genet Genomics 2008 Jul ; 35(7) : 403-12
 
3.   Fusion Transcripts and Transcribed Retrotransposed Loci Discovered through Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis using Paired-End diTags (PETs). Yijun Ruan, Hong Sain Ooi, Siew Woh Choo, Kuo Ping Chiu, Xiao Dong Zhao, K.G. Srinivasan, Fei Yao1, Chiou Yu Choo, Jun Liu, Pramila ARIYARATNE, Wilson G. W. Bin, Vladimir A. Kuznetsov, Atif Shahab, Wing-Kin Sung, Guillaume Bourque, Nallasivam Palanisamy, Chia-Lin Wei. Genome Research. 2007 17: 828-838.
 
4.   Identification and analysis of functional elements in 1% of the human genome by the ENCODE pilot project The ENCODE Project Consortium Nature 447, 799—816
 
5.   Whole genome mapping of histone H3 Lys4 and 27 trimethylations reveals distinct genomic compartments in human embryonic stem cells. Zhao X. D., Han X., Chew J. L., Liu J., ChiuK. P., Choo A., Orlov Y. L., Sung W. K., Shahab A., Kuznetsov V. A., Bourque G., Oh S., Ruan Y., Ng H. H., Wei C. L. (2007). Cell Stem Cell 1(3): 286.
 
6.   Zeller, K.I., X. Zhao, C.W. Lee, K.P. Chiu, F. Yao, J.T. Yustein, H.S. Ooi, Y.L. Orlov, A. Shahab, H.C. Yong, Y. Fu, Z. Weng, V.A. Kuznetsov, W.K. Sung, Y. Ruan, C.V. Dang, and C.L. Wei. 2006. Global mapping of c-Myc binding sites and target gene networks in human B cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 103: 17834-9.
 
7.   Wei, C.L., Q. Wu, V.B. Vega, K.P. Chiu, P. Ng, T. Zhang, A. Shahab, H.C. Yong, Y. Fu, Z. Weng, J. Liu, X.D. Zhao, J.L. Chew, Y.L. Lee, V.A. Kuznetsov, W.K. Sung, L.D. Miller, B. Lim, E.T. Liu, Q. Yu, H.H. Ng, and Y. Ruan. 2006. A global map of p53 transcription-factor binding sites in the human genome. Cell 124: 207-19.
 
8.   Patrick Wei Pern NG, Chia Lin WEI, Ken Wing Kin SUNG, Kuo Ping CHIU, Leonard LIPOVICH, Ang Chin Chin, Sanjay GUPTA, Shahab Atif, Wong Chee Hong, Ridwan Azmi, Edison Tak-Bun LIU, Yijun RUAN (2005) "Gene identification signature (GIS) analysis for transcriptome characterization and genome annotation" Nature Method 2 105-111
 
9.   Chia Lin WEI, Mahendra Rao, Yijun RUAN, Edison Tak-Bun LIU, Daixing Zhou, Irina Khrebtukova, Wei Wang, Scott Thies, Jacqui Schmitt, Yongquan Luo, Lawrence STANTON, Sanjay GUPTA, Mathia Yu-Chuan Lee, Xiu-qin Xu, Sai Kiang LIM, Paul ROBSON, Takumi Miura, Bing LIM (2005) "Transcriptome Profiling of Murine and Human ES Cells reveals Divergent Paths Required to Maintain the Stem Cell State" Stem Cells 23 166-185
 
10.   Chia Lin WEI, Patrick Wei Pern NG, Kuo Ping CHIU, Chee Hong Wong, Chin Chin Ang, Leonard LIPOVICH, Edison Tak-Bun LIU, Yijun RUAN (2004) "5' Long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE) and 3' LongSAGE for transcriptome characterization and genome annotation" Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101 (32) 11701-6