Chunmei Yang, M.D., Ph.D., wanted so much to become a good scientist that she left her husband, young son and mother in Nanjing, China, and took a postdoctoral research position in a country where she only knew only one person. She could hardly speak the language.
Yang, who has medical degree from Tai’shan Medical University and doctorate from Nanjing Medical University, arrived in the lab of Steve Sommer, M.D., Ph.D., professor of molecular medicine and chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics, in 2003. “I missed my family but I wanted to have new experiences and learn advanced science and technology,” Yang said. “Sometimes it was lonely, but I was busy, and on weekends I went to church. I had faith in my future — I knew tomorrow would be better.”
Those sacrifices are paying off. She is an author on three studies from Sommer’s lab on autismrelated genes and was lead author on a recent paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which reports improved treatment for genetic defects called “nonsense mutations.”
Some patients with the bleeding disorder hemophilia have these mutations in the gene that tells cells how to make a blood clotting protein called Factor 9 (F9). Instead of producing a complete F9 protein, the mutation causes a cell’s protein-making machinery to derail prematurely, producing a useless F9 stub. When that happens, blood does not coagulate properly.
Yang, Sommer and colleagues tested a drug on hemophilic mice with human F9 gene mutations. The treatment enabled some nonsense mutations to be overlooked, or bypassed, so mice could make a full-length, functioning F9 protein.
“The coagulation level in mice increased along with F9 activity,” Yang explained, “I knew I could make a difference.” That “difference” could apply to several diseases: Nonsense mutations not only occur in the F9 gene, but also in some types of muscular dystrophy, and they can activate genes that protect cells from cancer.
Today, Yang’s husband and son have joined her in California. And making a long walk to work, which she did when she first arrived, is history; they now have two cars.
Her recent paper was a family success, she said. “My husband and son were excited with me,” said Yang. “You know, we live a very simple life but we went out to dinner — we celebrated.”
Many people have made Yang’s journey easier. She is active in her church, which is a big part of her life. She also says a City of Hope-sponsored English class arranged by Steve Novak, Ph.D., and taught by Arlene Simmons improved her language skills, and the postdoctoral association advised her about communication and visa issues.
Sadly, Yang has not seen her mother, brother and three sisters in China since 2003. She hopes that eventually getting a green card will enable her to visit them.
For information about English conversation classes, contact Steve Novak at snovak@coh.org. Details about the postdoctoral association are available at www.cityofhope.org/pda/pda.htm.