Assistant Professor
Member, Cancer Epigenetics Institute
We study the mechanisms of prostate cancer development and therapy resistance. We leverage cutting-edge animal and organoid modeling technologies, genetic engineering, functional genetics and genomic approaches to dissect the molecular underpinnings of prostate cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance, with an interest in both cancer cell intrinsic pathways and cell-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Our goal is to make mechanistic discoveries that drive the development of innovative cancer therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Biology and Vulnerability of Prostate Cancer
Feng W*, Ladewig E*, Salsabeel N, Zhao H, Lee YS, Gopalan A, Lange M, Luo H, Kang W, Fan N, Rosiek E, de Stanchina E, Chen Y, Carver BS, Leslie CS, Sawyers CL. (2024) ERG activates a stem-like proliferation-differentiation program in prostate epithelial cells with mixed basal-luminal identity. BioRxiv. (manuscript in revision)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38585869/
Lim PX, Zaman M, Feng W, Jasin M. BRCA2 promotes genomic integrity and therapy resistance primarily through its role in homology-directed repair. (2024) Mol Cell.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38244544/
Celada SI, Li G, Celada LJ, Lu W, Kanagasabai T, Feng W, Cao Z, Salsabeel N, Mao N, Brown LK, Mark ZA, Izban MG, Ballard BR, Zhou X, Adunyah SE, Matusik RJ, Wang X, Chen Z. (2023) Lysosome‐dependent FOXA1 ubiquitination contributes to luminal lineage of advanced prostate cancer. Mol Oncol., PMCID: PMC10552895.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37491794/
Wasmuth EV, Broeck AV, LaClair JR, Hoover EA, Lawrence KE, Paknejad N, Pappas K, Matthies D, Wang B, Feng W, Watson PA, Zinder JC, Karthaus WR, de la Cruz MJ, Hite RK, Manova-Todorova K, Yu Z, Weintraub ST, Klinge S, Sawyers CL. (2022) Allosteric interactions prime androgen receptor dimerization and activation. Mol Cell., PMCID: PMC9177810.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35447082/
Feng W*, Cao Z*, Lim PX, Zhao H, Luo H, Mao N, Lee YS, Rivera AA, Choi D, Wu C, Han T, Romero R, de Stanchina E, Carver BS, Wang Q, Jasin M, Sawyers CL. (2021) Rapid interrogation of cancer cell of origin through CRISPR editing. Proc Natl Acad Sci., 118 (32) e2110344118.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34353917/
Feng W, Jasin M. (2018) Homologous Recombination and Replication Fork Protection: BRCA2 and More! Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol., 82, 329-338.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29686033
Feng W, Jasin M. (2018) 53BP1 nuclear body-marked replication stress in a human mammary cell model of BRCA2 deficiency. BioRxiv, 462119. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/462119v1.abstract
Chen CC*, Feng W*, Lim PX, Kass EM, Jasin M. (2018) Homology-Directed Repair and the Role of BRCA1, BRCA2, and Related Proteins in Genome Integrity and Cancer. Annu. Rev. Cancer Biol., 2, 313-336
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030617-050502
Feng W, Jasin M. (2017) BRCA2 suppresses replication stress-induced mitotic and G1 abnormalities through homologous recombination. Nat Commun., 8, 525. PMCID: PMC5597640.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28904335
Vanoli F, Tomishima M, Feng W, Lamribet K, Babin L, Brunet E, Jasin M. (2017) CRISPR-Cas9-guided oncogenic chromosomal translocations with conditional fusion protein expression in human mesenchymal cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci., 114, 3696-3701. PMCID: PMC5389291.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28325870
Prakash R*, Zhang Y*, Feng W*, Jasin M. (2015) Homologous recombination and human health: the roles of BRCA1, BRCA2, and associated proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol., 7, a016600. PMCID: PMC4382744.
About the Post Doctoral Fellowship
A postdoctoral position is available in 2025 for a highly-motivated, enthusiastic individual in the NIH-funded group of Dr. Weiran Feng in the Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center. Opening in Jan 2025, the Feng group will be studying the mechanisms of prostate cancer development and therapy resistance. We leverage state-of-the-art animal and organoid models, genetic engineering, functional genetics and genomic approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving prostate cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. Our research explores both cancer cell-intrinsic pathways and the cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Our overarching goal is to make mechanistic discoveries that drive novel therapy development to improve clinical benefits.
Interested applicants should be highly dedicated, enthusiastic and have experience publishing peer reviewed manuscripts. Expertise in cancer biology, epigenetics, CRISPR engineering, animal work, molecular biology, and computation biology is preferred. In addition, applicants should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to conduct research both independently and collaboratively. Candidates must possess a doctoral level degree in a relevant field.
Dr. Weiran Feng received PhD training in molecular and cell biology and genome editing with Dr. Maria Jasin at MSKCC. He then received postdoctoral training in organoid technology and cancer genetics with Dr. Charles Sawyers at MSKCC, with a focus on prostate cancer initiation. His work: i) developed an efficient approach to CRISPR edit organoids and freshly isolated primary cells for rapid in vivo functional interrogation; ii) discovered a cell context dependency and vulnerabilities of ERG, the most prevalent oncogenic transcription factor in prostate cancer. He co-authored 11 manuscripts, including 4 first-author research papers in top journals, and received awards including an Olayan Fellowship Award, DoD Early Investigator Research Award, PCF Young Investigator Award, and an NCI-K99/R00 Award.
The Feng laboratory is a member of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute (CEI) at Fox Chase. CEI offers trainees exceptional access to global epigenetics leaders and industry experts. CEI hosts an annual symposium featuring discussions on the latest advances, poster sessions, and travel awards. Trainees also present their research to colleagues within CEI and across FCCC. The institute is committed to enhancing each trainee’s networking opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge science, supporting optimal career development that is suited for you.
As one of the four original cancer centers to receive comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Fox Chase has been at the forefront of cancer research for almost 90 years and is home to world-class clinicians, scientists, and research facilities. Moreover, Fox Chase is part of the rich scientific and biotech environment in the Philadelphia region and has a strong record of career placement in academia, industry, as well as other scientific positions. Fox Chase postdoctoral fellows enjoy a competitive pay and a generous benefit package. To apply, please email a CV, a cover letter briefly describing research interest(s) and goals, and the name of at least three references to Dr. Weiran Feng ([email protected]).
About the Scientific Technician I position
A Scientific Technician I position is available in 2025 for a highly-motivated, enthusiastic individual in the NIH-funded group of Dr. Weiran Feng in the Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center. Opening in Jan 2025, the Feng group will be studying the mechanisms of prostate cancer development and therapy resistance. We leverage state-of-the-art animal and organoid models, genetic engineering, functional genetics and genomic approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving prostate cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance.
Career development opportunity:
You will receive rigorous training in scientific thinking and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, preparing you with a competitive skillset for your next career phase. This experience will equip you for advanced education and research roles in graduate programs, medical schools, or industrial research settings.
The role as Scientific Technician I:
The Scientific Technician I is an entry level technical post that contributes to the scientific research in a laboratory by performing experiments, recording results and analyzing the resultant data. The technician may also provide support to the lab by coordinating tasks, providing organizational support, training new personnel, ordering reagents and maintaining general laboratory records.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree: Biological Sciences or relevant field (Required)
Experience:
General experience and familiarity with common lab tools and equipment (Preferred)
General experience with general lab techniques including tissue culture, animal work, immunoblotting, and cloning (Preferred)
How to apply:
Candidates interested in the position should send curriculum vitae, a brief description of research experience, and names of three references to [email protected].
About Us:
As one of the four original cancer centers to receive comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Fox Chase has been at the forefront of cancer research for almost 90 years and is home to world-class clinicians, scientists, and research facilities. Moreover, Fox Chase is part of the rich scientific and biotech environment in the Philadelphia region and has a strong record of career placement in academia, industry, as well as other scientific positions
Patient comments