Research

Research Priorities: Molecular biology, tumour pathology, intestinal cancer, colorectal carcinoma, early cancer detection, risk markers, metabolic syndrome

Maode Lai is a Chinese pathologist. His research focuses primarily on tumour pathology, especially intestinal cancer. He identifies risk markers for early cancer detection and studies mechanisms of metastasis. He also examines the molecular foundations of metabolic syndrome. The results of his research have contributed to the development of personalised medicine.

Intestinal cancer can occur frequently within families; the reasons may lie in a genetic predisposition, but they may also be lifestyle-related. Maode Lai researches the molecular foundations of intestinal cancer (colorectal carcinoma) and, in particular, looks for risk genes for the development of intestinal cancer. He initiated a platform allowing for the systematic cataloguing and comparison of identified genetic mutations.

In many cancer patients, metastases form, a process in which epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved. During this process, tumour cells detach themselves from the cell structure, move into tissue and blood and lymphatic vessels, and form metastases there. Maode Lai sequences tumour samples and studies these mechanisms. Together with his team, he develops molecular tests in order to identify biomarkers for early cancer detection, in particular intestinal cancer and liver metastases. This means that at-risk patients can be offered early treatment strategies.

His group was able to show that the protein IGFBP7 plays an important role in insulin resistance and is associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome comprises illnesses characterised by, among other things, blood pressure, blood lipid, and weight values and which, when aberrational, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Maode Lai aims to further demystify the foundational mechanisms.

Career

• since 2013 President, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, China
• 1998-2012 Vice-President, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• 1996-1998 Vice-President, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, China (since 1998: Zhejiang University), Hangzhou, China
• since 1995 Chairperson, Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• since 1994 Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• 1991-1994 Associate Professor of Pathology, Zhejiang Medical University, China
• 1990 PhD in Pathology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
• 1989-1990 Degree in Pathology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
• 1987 Master’s Degree in Medicine, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, China
• 1984-1987 Degree in Pathology, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, China
• 1982-1984 Degree in Medicine, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, China

Functions

• since 2010 Chairperson, Chinese Society of Pathology (CSP), China
• since 2010 Chairperson, Zhejiang Pathology Association, Hangzhou, China
• since 2007 Vice Chairperson, CSP, China
• since 2007 Vice Chairperson, National Committee of Medical Education of Basic Sciences,                 Ministry of Education, China
• 2005-2009 Vice Chairperson, Committees for Tumour Pathology, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), China
• since 2004 Chairperson, Zhejiang Pathology Association, Hangzhou, China
• since 1999 Vice Chairperson, Zhejiang Medical Association, Hangzhou, China
• Editor in Chief, Journal of Zhejiang University
• Associate Editor, Chinese Journal of Pathology
• Associate Editor, Practical Journal of Oncology
• Associate Editor, Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology
• Member, Editorial Board, Clinica Chimica Acta

Projects

• 2011-2014 Director, Research Programme “Mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in metastasis of colorectal carcinoma”, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), China
• 2010-2012 Co-Organiser, Project “The molecular mechanism of cancers, Sino-German Center”, NSFC, China and German Research Foundation (DFG)
• 2010-2012 Principal Investigator, Project “Regulation mechanism of Reg IV in colorectal tumor”, NSFC, China
• 2009-2013 Director, Project “Early identification and intervention technique of metabolic syndrome”, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, China
• 2008-2010 Principal Investigator, Project “Regulation mechanism of IGFBP-rP1 methylation”, NSFC, China
• 2007-2010 Principal Investigator, Project “Development of diagnostic techniques of malignancies”, Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Taizhou, China
• 2007-2012 Co-Investigator, Project “Clinical evaluation of tumour bio markers of common malignancies”, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, China
• 2007-2010 Co-Investigator, Subproject “Structure and function of IGFBP-7”, 973-Project, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, China
• 2006-2008 Principal Investigator, Project “Regulation of IGFBP-7 expression and Identification of effective molecules”, NSFC, China
• 2004-2006 Principal Investigator, Project “Identification of C6orf37 homologous sequence in the colonic carcinogenesis”, NSFC, China
• 2001 Principal Investigator, Project “CpG island aberrant methylation in morphologically normal mucosa adjacent to colorectal carcinomas”, NSFC, China

Honours and Memberships

• 2011 Top Specialist, Zhejiang Province, China
• 2011 First Award of Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, China
• 2005 First Award of Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, China
• 2004 Second Award of Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, China
• 2003 Outstanding Youth Scientist Award, Zhejiang Province, China
• 1998 Third Award of Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, China
• 1994 Third Award of Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, China
• 1993 Excellent Teacher Award, Ministry of Education, China
• 1990 Huo Yingdong Excellent Young Teacher Award, Ministry of Education, China
• 1988 Second Award of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, China