.jpg "Allen T. Yu, MD, PhD photo")
Resident Physician
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
My interest in science and medicine stemmed from my undergraduate studies at the Johns Hopkins University, where I obtained my BS/MS in molecular and cellular biology. I was fascinated by the power of yeast genetics, and explored the realm of synthetic biology, high-throughput genetic screns, and protein degradation. From there, I joined the MSTP program at Stony Brook University, and completed my PhD at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where I took my previous experience and applied it to non-coding RNAs, focusing on how they were required to maintain pluripotency of embryonic stem cells as well as dysregulated in uncontrolled growth, i.e. cancer. I discovered a novel non-coding RNA called PHAROH, that was overexpressed in liver developement, regeneration, and HCC progression. I designed an antisense oligonucleotide to target it, and through RNA-seq and mass spectrometry, I found that PHAROH was regulating Myc, a well known oncogene, and targetting PHAROH had the ability to kill HCC tumor cell lines. Targeting these RNA may have therapeutic potential, possibly opening doors and options for those who were once non-surgical candidates.
Currently, I have the privilege of completing of my general surgery training at the Mount Sinai Hospital. From my PhD, I learned how to ask questions and develop experiments to test those hypotheses. Here during residency, I aim to hone these skills once more, with a focus on clinical research, especially in the field of surgical oncology where the discoveries in the basic sciences can be translated to the bedside. My projects are a product of the synthesis of my background in biochemistry and genetics, conversations with my patients, and my motivation to improve patient care and outcomes.