Dr. Min Bao, PhD
Position:
· Principal Investigator, Oujiang Laboratory
· Professor, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
Education:
· 2014 - 2018: PhD, Radboud University, Netherlands
· 2018 - 2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cambridge, UK
· 2020 - 2022: Postdoctoral Researcher, California Institute of Technology, US
Research Overview:
Dr. Min Bao's research focuses on mechanobiology in developmental and aging processes, and the construction and application of embryo-like models. His work has been published as the first author or co-corresponding author in prestigious journals such as Nature Cell Biology, Nature Communications, Advanced Science, and Biomaterials. Additionally, he has been invited as a corresponding author to contribute reviews for Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Annual Review of Biophysics, Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, and The Innovation. His research on embryo-like model construction was recognized by Nature as one of the major innovative technologies in stem cell biology in 2023 and featured in Science Editors' Choice. Currently, his research focuses on the significant role of mechanical signals (stiffness, confinement, etc.) in the processes of development, aging, and disease progression.
Fundings:
· 2024-2027: Wenzhou Talent Innovation Team Project (¥ 2 million)
· 2023-2027: National Natural Science Outstanding Youth Fund (Overseas) Project (¥ 2 million)
· 2023-2026: National Natural Science Foundation Youth Fund Project (¥ 0.3 million)
Fellowships:
· 2014-2018: Radboud University Nanomedicine allowance fellowship (€400,000)
· 2020-2022: California Institute of Technology Gosney Postdoctoral fellowship ($120,000)
Honors & Awards (2012-present):
· 2020: Outstanding reviewer for Biophysics (IOP)
· 2018: Chinese government award for outstanding self-finance students abroad
· 2014: National Scholarship for master’s degree
· 2014: Dissertation of Excellence Funds from Donghua University
· 2014: Shanghai Outstanding Graduates and Excellent Student of Donghua University
· 2014: Shanghai Outstanding Master Thesis
· 2011-2014: The First Prize Scholarship and Outstanding Student Leader
Publications (# co-First author or Corresponding author):
1. Huang H, Gao S, Bao M. Exploring Mechanical Forces Shaping Self-Organization and Morphogenesis During Early Embryo Development. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology. 2024;40:1-14.
2. Xie J, Huck W, Bao M*. Unveiling the Intricate Connection: Cell Volume as a Key Regulator of Mechanotransduction. Annual Review in Biophysics. 2024;53:1-17.
3. Bao M*, Xie J. Geometric Confinement-Mediated Mechanical Tension Directs Patterned Differentiation of Mouse ESCs into Organized Germ Layers. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2023;12:1024-1037.
4. Hu X, Bao M*. Advances in Micropatterning Technology for Mechanotransduction Research. Mechanobiology in Medicine. 2024;100066.
5. Bao M, Cornwall-Scoones J, Sanchez-Vasquez E, Chen DY, De Jonghe J, Shadkhoo S, Hollfelder F, Thomson M, Glover DM, Zernicka-Goetz M. Stem Cell-Derived Synthetic Embryos Self-assemble by Exploiting Cadherin Codes and Cortical Tension. Nature Cell Biology. 2022;2:1341-1349. (Cover)
6. Bao M, Cornwall-Scoones J, Zernicka-Goetz M. Stem Cell Derived Human and Mouse Embryo Models. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development. 2022;76:101970.
7. Xie J, Hu X, Chen L, Piruska A, Zheng Z, Bao M#, Huck W#. Integration of Tissue Geometry and TGF-β Signaling as Drivers of Tumor Progression and Invasion. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2022.
8. Bao M#, Xie J, Piruska A, Hu X, Huck W#. Microfabricated Gaps Reveal the Effect of Geometrical Control in Wound Healing. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2021;2000630.
9. Xie J, Bao M, Hu X, Koopman W, Huck WTS. Energy Expenditure during Cell Spreading Influences the Cellular Response to Matrix Stiffness. Biomaterials. 2021;267.
10. Bao M, Xie J, Katoele N, Hu X, Wang B, Piruska A, Huck WTS. Cellular volume and matrix stiffness direct stem cell behavior in a 3D microniche. ACS applied materials & interfaces. 2019;1754.
11. Bao M#, Xie J, Huck W#. Recent advances in engineering the stem cell microniche in 3D. Advanced Science. 2018;1800448.
12. Bao M, Xie J, Piruska A, Huck WTS. 3D microniches reveal the importance of cell size and shape. Nature Communications. 2017;8:1962.
13. Xie J, Bao M, Bruekers S, Huck W. Collagen Gels with Different Fibrillar Microarchitectures Elicit Different Cellular Responses. ACS Applied Materials & Interface. 2017;9(23):19630–19637.
14. Bao M, Wang X, Yuan H, et al. HAp incorporated ultrafine polymeric fibers with shape memory effect for potential use in bone screw hole healing. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2016;4(31):5308-5320.
15. Bao M, Lou X, Zhou Q, et al. Electrospun biomimetic fibrous scaffold from shape memory polymer of PDLLA-co-TMC for bone tissue engineering. ACS Applied Materials & Interface. 2014;6(4):2611-2621.
16. Bao M, Zhou Q, Dong W, et al. Ultrasound-Modulated Shape Memory and Payload Release Effects in a Biodegradable Cylindrical Rod Made of Chitosan-Functionalized PLGA Microspheres. Biomacromolecules. 2013;14:1971-1979.
17. Bao M, Tu H, Zhou Q, et al. Ultrasound-Mediated Release of Lysozyme from Biodegradable Shape-Memory Polymeric Carrier of Microspheres. Journal of Controlled Release. 2013;172(1):110-111.
18. Bruekers S, Bao M, Hendriks J, Mulder KW, Huck WTS. Adaptation trajectories during adhesion and spreading affect future cell states. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:12308.
19. Imran H, Bao M, van Helvert S, et al. Effect of mechanical loading and substrate elasticity on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 2019;13:2279-2290.
20. Berna S, Cox AL, De Jonghe J, Bao M, Hollfelder F, Glover DM, Zernicka-Goetz M. Self-Organization of Mouse Stem Cells into an Extended Potential Blastoid. Developmental Cell. 2019;51:698-712.
21. Postma SGJ, Vialshin IN, Gerritsen CY, Bao M, Huck WTS. Preprogramming complex hydrogel responses using enzymatic reaction networks. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2017;56(7):1794-1798.
22. Ma S, Rong M, Lin P, Bao M, Xie J, Wang X, Huck WTS, Zhou F, Liu W. Fabrication of 3D tubular hydrogels materials through on-site surface free radical polymerization. Chemistry of Materials. 2018;30(19):6756-6768.
Contact:
Email: baomin@ojlab.ac.cn
