Xin Lu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xin Lu
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| Website | www |
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| Thesis | A study of intermediate filament formation using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer |
| Doctoral advisor | Ellen Lane |
Xin Lu FRS is a very important scientist. She is a Professor of Cancer Biology and leads the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Oxford. Her work focuses on understanding and fighting cancer.
Professor Lu is famous for finding and studying a group of proteins called the ASPP family. These proteins play a big role in how our bodies control cell growth and death.
Contents
Her Journey in Science
Early Studies
Xin Lu started her science journey in China. She earned her first degree in Biochemistry from Sichuan University in 1982. Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes happening in living things.
Later, in 1985, she completed her master's degree. This was in Cell and Molecular Biology at the Cancer Institute. It was part of the Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.
Becoming a Doctor of Science
After her studies in China, Xin Lu moved to the United Kingdom. She went to University College London (UCL) for her PhD. A PhD is a very high university degree. It means you have done a lot of original research.
She finished her PhD in 1991. Her research was about how certain parts of cells, called intermediate filaments, are formed.
Her Research and Career
Joining the Ludwig Institute
In 1993, after working briefly at Dundee University, Professor Lu joined the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR). This institute was located at Imperial College London at the time. Here, she started her own research team.
Leading Cancer Research
Professor Lu became a Director of Research at the Ludwig Institute's London branch in 2004. She also became a Professor of Cancer Biology at University College London. This meant she was leading important studies on cancer.
In 2007, she moved the institute to Oxford. She continues her vital work there, trying to find new ways to treat cancer.
Awards and Recognitions
Professor Xin Lu has received many important awards for her scientific work. These awards show how much her discoveries have helped the world of science.
- She became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2020. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- In 2013, she was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
- She became a member of the Academia Europaea in 2022.
- She also joined the European Molecular Biology Organization in 2011.
- From 2011 to 2022, she was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.
- From 2007 to 2022, she was a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists.
Important Discoveries
Professor Lu's most well-known work is on the ASPP family of proteins. These proteins are very important because they help control a process called apoptosis. Apoptosis is like a "self-destruct" program for cells. It helps remove old or damaged cells from our bodies.
When this process doesn't work correctly, cells can grow out of control. This can lead to cancer. By studying ASPP proteins, Professor Lu helps us understand how to make cancer cells "self-destruct" again. This research is crucial for developing new cancer treatments.
