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This recognition is especially meaningful to me. As a PhD student and postdoc, I had the chance to work with former EIC Prof. Michael King as an assistant editor supporting this journal. Now, I am grateful to current EIC Prof. Ed Sander and the selection committee for this honor.

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With mRNA LNPs, we show that muscle cells can locally produce native WNT7A, leading to myofiber hypertrophy and reduced fatty infiltration in preclinical models. This establishes mRNA delivery as a promising strategy for scalable and localized protein production in muscle regeneration.

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This study, led by our superstar grad student Larion Santiago @thelaar.bsky.social, used a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mRNA platform to deliver WNT7A as a proof of concept cargo. WNT7A is a powerful regulator of muscle, but recombinant protein therapy faces major hurdles in delivery and scalability.

In this work, we asked if muscle cells and fibers could be transformed into an “in vivo protein factory” capable of producing regenerative signals.

We’ve also had great news on the grant front, with strong scores on @thesoor.bsky.social’s F31 and our R01 grants. In the current climate, nothing’s certain, but we’re proud of the science and energized by the momentum. Grateful every day for this incredible team and all they bring.

Watching them grow reminds us that the future of medicine/biomedical research is in good hands, and that training the next generation is one of the most meaningful things we do.

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First, it’s been a joy having Kelley Tu and Kelly Nguyen, two super star undergrads from Brown, join us this summer. Their curiosity, creativity, and steady drive brought so much to the lab.

Justin Gutkowski @justingutbio.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

In the Han Lab, we celebrate every win, big or small, and this season has given us plenty to appreciate. 🧵

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Reposted by Woojin Han

Excited to announce I just posted a new preLight showcasing the work of @thegaaa.bsky.social in the lab of @thewooj.bsky.social on the effects of 3D confinement on muscle stem cell proliferation and differentiation using an asymmetric hydrogel bilayer model. Check out the post and their paper below:

prelights.biologists.com

3D mechanical confinement directs muscle stem cell fate and function - preLights

Choking under pressure? 3D confinement in hydrogel-based culture inhibits muscle stem cell activation and differentiation

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Woojin Han @thewooj.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Thank you for highlighting our work!

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Woojin Han @thewooj.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Thrilled to share that our work is featured on the Back Cover of Advanced Biology! This 3D confocal image by GaYoung Park @thegaaa.bsky.social captures muscle stem cells confined between two hydrogel layers with distinct properties. Read more here: advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

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Finally, @thejooosh.bsky.social and I teamed up to co-moderate a session! /end

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@thesoor.bsky.social gives a wonderful talks on FAP mechanobiology! We are really excited about this work - more coming soon.

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@thegaaa.bsky.social shares our recent work on 3D confinement effects on muscle stem cell fate! Our full paper here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40040295/

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@thechaar.bsky.social presents our research on Piezo1-focal adhesion interactions to Andrés García! An academic pedigree action shot.

@thesoor.bsky.social gets the honorable mentions at the 3MT competition!

Super proud of my trainees: 3 talks, 2 short talks, a poster, and co-moderating a session. Watching them grow into thriving scientists is hands-down the best part of this job. Action shots below 📸

#SFB2025 was an absolute blast and leaving with more energy and inspiration than I came with. Great people, cutting-edge science, and just a fantastic community. Loved meeting new folks and catching up with old friends. Photo 🧵 below 👇 1/n.

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I am also co-organizing+moderating Tissue Engineering SIG 1 (Thurs 8AM), Regenerative Biomaterials for Complex Tissue Regeneration 1 (Thurs 1:30PM), Regenerative Biomaterials for Complex Tissue Regeneration 2 (Fri 8AM), and Tissue Engineering SIG 3 (Sat 10:30AM). Excellent programs, so check em out!

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🗓️ Saturday, April 12 📍8:30AM | BLVD C | Engineering Cells and Their Microenvironments SIG 1 Determining the Role of PIEZO1 in Stiffness Sensing and Regulation of Muscle Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors 👤 Soore Oguntuyo @thesoor.bsky.social

🗓️ Saturday, April 12 📍8:00AM | BLVD C | Engineering Cells and Their Microenvironments SIG 1 3D Mechanical Confinement Directs Muscle Stem Cell Fate and Function 👤 GaYoung Park @thegaaa.bsky.social

🗓️ Thursday, April 10 📍7:25PM | Marquette | Historically Marginalized Voices in Biomaterials Determining the Role of PIEZO1 in Stiffness Sensing and Regulation of Muscle Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors 👤 Soore Oguntuyo @thesoor.bsky.social **Catch Soore’s 3MT on Wednesday too!

🗓️ Thursday, April 10 📍6:00–7:30PM | Salon A | Poster Session 2 PIEZO1 Regulates Mechanosensitivity of Muscle Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors in a Stiffness-Dependent Manner 👤 Charlene Cai @thechaar.bsky.social

🗓️ Thursday, April 10 📍3:15PM | Joliet | Tissue Engineering SIG 2 WNT7A mRNA-LNPs Reduce Skeletal Muscle Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitor Adipogenesis 👤 Larion Santiago @thelaar.bsky.social