PhD
Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics
School of Medicine
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Cell Biology
Area of Interest
With an emphasis on chromatin biology and gene regulation, our research programs are broadly focused on mechanistic understandings of how chemical modifications of chromatin define distinctive patterns of mammalian genomes, control gene expression and regulate cell fates during development, and how their deregulations lead to human disease such as cancer. Routinely, we have taken a set of integrated biochemical, genomics, oncology and medicinal chemistry approaches to tackle the broad and critical questions in this field. Our interest can roughly be summarized into the following research directions:
- The role for histone methylation “reader” proteins in gene regulation and cancer.
- The role for DNA methylation machineries in epigenetic regulation and cancer.
- Chemical inhibition of epigenetic regulators, leading to new therapeutics.
Awards and Honors
- Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prize for Scholarly and Artistic Achievement, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2019
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar, 2018
- Gilead Sciences Research Scholar, Gilead Inc. Scholars Program, 2017
- American Cancer Society Scholar, 2016
- Kimmel Scholar Award, Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research, 2014-2015
- Janet D. Rowley Medical Research Award, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, 2014-2016
- American Society of Hematology Scholar Award in Basic Science, 2013-2014
- Jefferson Pilot Fellowships in Academic Medicine Award, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2013
- Martin D. Abeloff, MD V Scholar (top rating), the V Foundation for Cancer Research, 2011-2012
- Howard Temin ‘Pathway to Independence’ Award in Cancer Research (K99/R00), NIH/NCI, 2010-2015
- Irvington Institute – Cancer Research Institute postdoctoral fellowship (declined), 2008
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fellow Award (named as the John C. Newman Researcher of LLS), 2008-2010
- C. H. Li Memorial Scholar Fund Scholar Award, The Rockefeller University, 2007
- Union Medical Award, Fudan University Medical Center, China, 2000
- Undergraduate merit-based scholarship (People’s Fellowship), Fudan University, China, 1994-1996
News and Stories
Scientists uncover a new approach for treating aggressive cancer
Greg Wang, PhD, and colleagues have uncovered a new role of a chromatin-modulatory enzyme, termed EZH2, during cancer development.
Scientists uncover new mechanism that enables development of cancer
Greg Wang, PhD, Douglas Phanstiel, PhD, and colleagues have uncovered a new mechanism that activates specific genes, leading to the development of cancers.
‘BAH-code’ reader senses gene-silencing tag in cells
Greg Wang, PhD, and colleagues have identified an evolutionarily conserved pathway responsible for “closing down” gene activity in the mammalian cell.
