Yichen Wang

Dr Yichen Wang

BSc MS PhD

Yichen is a computational biologist focusing on understanding the normal aging process as well as early cancer development. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and a Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College.

Yichen Wang

Yichen graduated from Peking University, China with a BSc in Biological Science and Applied Mathematics. She then pursued a doctorate in Computational Biology at the University of Cambridge (funded by Wellcome Trust), and meanwhile, a part-time online Master's in Computer Science with Georgia Institute of Technology. Her PhD explored mutational processes in normal human tissues under the supervision of Professor Sir Mike Stratton and Dr Peter Campbell. She is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

As a genome biologist, Yichen studies changes in our DNA that occur after birth, called somatic mutations. While many of these changes are harmless, some can trigger diseases like cancer. Somatic mutations also serve as genetic footprints, recording the history of cells, from environmental exposures to the natural process of ageing. Analysing these footprints provides clues about the causes and developmental trajectory of diseases.

Yichen’s research focuses on understanding how somatic mutations in normal tissues contribute to the very early stages of cancer development and ageing. Her current work, based on bioinformatics analysis of normal kidney genomes collected from different geographic regions with varying kidney cancer risks, has demonstrated how the genomes of certain normal tissues can serve as a sensitive ‘reporter’ for exogenous mutagens, helping to discover previously unknown cancer risk factors.

Her past research, along with that of others, also suggests both cancer and ageing are affected by factors beyond DNA mutations, which are yet unknown. To address this, her next focus will be exploring how DNA methylation impacts DNA mutation rates, ageing and cancer risk. By employing advanced sequencing techniques to analyse methylation and DNA mutation patterns in normal tissues simultaneously, she aims to uncover signatures of methylation changes, and how they may explain for ageing and differences in cancer risk beyond mutation burden alone.

What's on

An abstract painting dominated by vibrant blue, featuring intricate white scribbles and textured drips of green, orange, and red, creating a layered and dynamic composition.

Art Exhibition: 'Feel the Rhythm'

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Feel the Rhythm' featuring work by emerging artist Fungai Benhura, winner of the Wolfson Royal Academy Schools Graduate Prize.

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Lent Term Concert: Myths and Legends

23/03/2025 at 18.00

As part of Wolfson’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the College Choir and Alumni Choir, directed by Lyn Alcántara, present an evening of choral works inspired by the fantastical.

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Graduation Ceremony

29/03/2025 at 09.00

Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of students’ hard work and commitment, and a moment to celebrate the completion of their Cambridge degree.

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Cambridge Festival - Delivering Education in Armed Conflict and Telling the Story

04/04/2025 at 17.00

Film screening of BBC Panorama Special: Saving Syria’s Children (55min) followed by panel discussion and Q&A.

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Mansion House

Mansion House 60th Anniversary Dinner

24/04/2025 at 18.30

In celebration of its 60th anniversary year, Wolfson College is proud to be holding a black tie dinner at London’s exclusive Mansion House, courtesy of the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, the son of Wolfson’s former Bursar, Jack King.

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