Massachusetts Institute of Technology       Joint-Training Student        2009.09-2010.02

Langer Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139

PI：Robert Langer, Daniel Kohane

Tsinghua University                       Ph.D                     2005.09-2010.07

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing, China, 100084

PI：Renji Zhang

Huazhong University of Science and Technology        BS                2010.09-2005.07

Department of Material science and engineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430074

BS in Material Science and Engineering, BS in Computer Science and Technology

Score Ranking: 1/198

Tsinghua University                     Assistant professor          2013.06-now
Biofabrication Research Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing, China, 100084

Tsinghua University                     Postdoc fellow             2011.05-2013.05
Laboratory for Multi-scale Biosystems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
PI: Yanan Du

Center of Translational Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China, 100005
PI: Robert Chunhua Zhao

My main focus is to develop and integrate 3D cell printing technologies, microscale biofabrication and microfluidic technologies, stem cells, biomaterials and proteins to advance the understanding and applications of cell/tissue engineering and therapy for drug testing, pathology investigation and regenerative medicine, with the ultimate goal to meet the therapeutic and diagnostic needs in drug discovery and clinical medicine.

My recent research directions include:

Developing enabling technologies to build 3D biomimetic microenvironment for stem cell-based assays and cell-based therapy;

Constructing stem cell-derived in vitro physio/pathological models of the adipose, hepatic and pancreatic systems;

Constructing biomimetic in vitro pathological cancer models for cancer development studies and personalized cancer therapy.

Grants
 National Natural Science Foundation (31500818): Engineering human liver-like tissue based on cell microsphere 3D printing technology and applications on drug hepatotoxicity studies. 2016-2018. PI: Rui Yao.

Young Faculty Independent Basic Scientific Research Foundation, Ministry of Education (2014Z21030): Construction of biomimetic in vitro tissue for drug screening research. 2015-2017. PI: Rui Yao.

Construction and 3D culture biomimetic human tissue-like structure. Foundation from Shang Pu Bo Yuan Ltd. 2015-2017. PI: Rui Yao.

First-class National Postdoc Foundation (2012M520014): Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in 3D co-culture models. 2012-2013. PI: Rui Yao.

Beijing Science and Technology Innovation and Industry Cultivation Foundation in Additive Manufacturing Division: Development of heterogeneous/integrative cell printing technology and applications for construction of heterogeneous cancer model. 2015-2017. PI: Wei Sun.

National Major Special Project on New drug Discovery (2015ZX09501-009): Induced pluripotent stem cell and 3D cell printing based tissue models for drug screening and druggability assessment studies. 2015-2018. PI: Zhinan Chen.

The National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2015AA202303): Development of series of bio-3D printing systems and technologies towards the applications of rapid restoration and tissue transplantation. 2015-2018. PI: Tao Xu

Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation (51235006): Single and precise cell printing based construction of in vitro biomimetic tissue model. 2013-2017. PI: Wei Sun.

The National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2012AA020506): Development of key technologies and products for Complex tissue construction. 2012-2015. PI: Wei Sun.

Journal Papers

[1] Liliang Ouyang+, Rui Yao+, Shuangshuang Mao, Xi Chen, Jie Na, Wei Sun*. Three-dimensional bioprinting of embryonic stem cells directs highly uniform embryoid body formation. Biofabrication. 2015; 7(4): 044101. (Co-first author, Special issue, Featured article)

 

[2] Liliang Ouyang+; Rui yao+; Xi Chen; Jie Na; Wei Sun*. 3D printing of HEK 293FT cell-laden hydrogel into macroporous constructs with high cell viability and normal biological functions. Biofabrication. Biofabrication, 2015, 7(1): 015010. (Co-first author)

 

[3] Yu Zhao, Yang Li, Shuangshuang Mao, Wei Sun, Rui Yao*. The influence of printing parameters on cell survival rate and printability in microextrusion-based 3D cell printing technology. Biofabrication. 2015, 7(4): 045002 (Correspondence author, Featured as Key Scientific Article by Global Medical Discovery)

 

[4] Long Zhao, Karen Chang Yan, Rui Yao, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. Alternating Force Based Drop-on-demand Micro-droplet Formation and 3D Deposition. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2015, 137(1): 031009-031018

 

[5] Rui Yao, Jingyu Wang, Xiaokang Li, Jung Da, Hao Qi, Keh Kooi Kee, Yanan Du*. Hepatic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells as Microscaled Multilayered Colonies Leading to Enhanced Homogeneity and Maturation. Small. 2014; 10(21): 4311-23. (Frontispiece Report)

 

[6] Yu Zhao+, Rui Yao+, Liliang Ouyang, Hongxu Ding, Ting Zhang, Kaitai Zhang, Shujun Cheng, Wei Sun*. 3D printing of Hela cells for cervical tumor model in vitro. Biofabrication. 2014; 6(3): 035001 (Co-first author, Featured Article)

 

[7] Chengyang Wang, Zhenyu Tang, Yu Zhao, Rui Yao, Lingsong Li, Wei Sun*. Three-dimensional in vitro Cancer Models: A Short Review. Biofabrication, 2014; 6(2): 022001.

 

[8] Rui Yao*, Yanan Du, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Jie Luan. A biomimetic physiological model for human adipose tissue by adipocytes and endothelial cell cocultures with spatially controlled distribution. Biomedical Materials. 2013. 8(4): 045005. (Correspondence author, Featured Article, 2013 Highlight, 2013 Editor’s Pick)

 

[9] Rui Yao*, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Jie Luan. Biomimetic injectable HUVEC-adipocytes/collagen/ alginate microsphere co-cultures for adipose tissue engineering. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2013. 110(5): 1430-1443 (Correspondence author, Spotlight Article)

 

[10] Renji Zhang, Rui Yao, Ting Zhang, Lei Zhang, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. Exploration of industrialization of 3D printing technology in Beijing. New Industry of Materials. 2013. 8: 25-30 (In Chinese)

 

[11] Rui Yao*, Renji Zhang, Lin Feng, Jie Luan. Injectable cell/hydrogel microspheres induce the formation of fat lobule-like microtissues and vascularized adipose tissue regeneration. Biofabrication, 4(4): 045003, 2012 (Correspondence author)

 

[12] Rui Yao*, Renji Zhang, Jie Luan, Lin Feng. Alginate and alginate/gelatin microspheres for human adipose-derived stem cell encapsulation and differentiation. Biofabrication, 4(2): 025007, 2012 (Correspondence author)

 

[13] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Xiaohong Wang*. Cell Microencapsulation by Noncontact High Potentiometric Dispersion Technology. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2010; 46(5): 116-121.

 

[14] Mingen Xu*, Xiaohong Wang, Yongnian Yan, Rui Yao, Yakun Ge. A cell-assembly derived physiological 3D model of the metabolic syndrome, based on adipose-derived stromal cells and a gelatin/alginate/fibrinogen matrix. Biomaterials, 2010, 31 (14): 3868 - 3877.

 

[15] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Xiaohong Wang*. Design and Evaluation of a Cell Microencapsulating Device for Cell Assembly Technology. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, 2009; 24: 48 - 62.

 

[16] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Yongnian Yan, Xiaohong Wang*. In vitro Angiogenesis of Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Adipose Tissue. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, 2009; 24: 5 - 24.

 

[17] Mingen Xu*, Yongnian Yan, Haixia Liu, Rui Yao, Xiaohong Wang. Controlled Adipose-derived Stromal Cells Differentiation into Adipose and Endothelial Cells in a 3D Structure Established by Cell-assembly Technique. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers,2009; 24: 31 - 47.

 

[18] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin. Nano/micro biofabrication of cells and biomaterials based on femtosecond laser. Proceedings of symposium of forefront of nano/micro material and processing. 2006, 129 - 133. (In Chinese)

 

Conference Papers

[1] Rui Yao. In vivo regeneration of tissues with lobule structures. 11th National Conference on Regenerative Medicine. 2015, Jun.5-Jun.7, Beijing, China.

 

[2] Wei Sun, Rui Yao. Bio-3D Printing of In Vitro Cell/ Tissue Models for Drug Testing. World Preclinical Congress. 2015, Jun.11-Jun.12, Boston, USA.

 

[3] Rui Yao. Stem cell based in vitro fabrication and in vivo regeneration of tissues with lobule structure. Tsinghua-Ajou Joint Symposium. 2015, Oct 12, Beijing, China.

 

[4] Rui Yao, Wei Sun. 3D bioprinting-based in vitro biofabrication and in vivo regeneration of adipose tissue, liver and embryonic tissues. International Conference on Biofabrication. 2015, Nov.7-Nov.9, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

 

[5] Rui Yao. Construction of tumor models and embryonic tissues with 3D cell printing technology. National Conference on Stem Cells. 2015, Nov.17-Nov.21, Hainan, Beijing.

 

[6] Liliang Ouyang, Rui Yao, Shuangshuang Mao, Wei Sun. 3D printing of embryonic stem cells and formation of pluripotent embryonic bodies. 11th National Conference on Regenerative Medicine. 2015, Jun.5-Jun.7, Beijing, China.

 

[7] Liliang Ouyang, Rui Yao, Shuangshuang Mao, Wei Sun. Three-dimensional bioprinting of embryonic stem cells. International conference on Biofabrication. 2015, Nov.7-Nov.9, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

 

[8] Rui Yao, Jie Luan, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. In vitro construction and in vivo regeneration of tissues with lobule structure. 2014 International Symposium on 3D Printing. 2014, Oct.1-Oct.2, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

 

[9] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Jie Luan. A biomimetic physiological model for human adipose tissue by adipocytes and endothelial cell cocultures with spatially controlled distribution. 2014 International Conference on Biofabrication. 2014, Sep.28-Oct.1, Pohang, Republic of Korea.

 

[10] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Jie Luan. Biomimetic Microsphere Co-cultures for Vascularized Adipose Tissue Regeneration. 2014 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society-Asia Pacific Meeting. 2014, Sep.24-Sep.27, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

 

[11] Rui Yao, Mingen Xu, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. In Vitro Angiogenesis of 3D printed Adipose Tissue. 2014 Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium. 2014, Aug.4-Aug.6, Austin, USA.

 

[12] Rui Yao, Jie Luan, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. In Vitro Biofabrication and In Vivo Regeneration of Adipose Tissue and Liver. 2014 International Conference on Additive Manufacturing and Bio-manufacturing. 2014, Nov.12-Nov.14, Beijing, China.

 

[13] Zhao Yu, Rui Yao, Ouyang LiLiang, Sun Wei. “3D printing of cervical tumor model for anti-tumor drug testing”, 2014 International Conference on Biofabrication, 2014, Sep.28-Oct.1, Pohang, Republic of Korea.

 

[14] Yu Zhao, Rui Yao, Liliang Ouyang, Hongxu Ding, Ting Zhang, Kaitai Zhang, Shujun Cheng, Wei Sun. 3D Printing of In Vitro Cervical Tumor Models: Fabrication and Characterization. 2014 Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium. 2014, Aug.4-Aug.6, Austin, USA.

 

[15] Liliang Ouyang, Rui Yao, Wei Sun. 3D Bioprinting of mESC with hydrogel for Embryoid Body formation. 2014 International Conference on Biofabrication. 2014, Sep.28-Oct.1, Pohang, Republic of Korea.

 

[16] Yu Zhao, Rui Yao, Liliang Ouyang, Hongxu Ding. Ting Zhang, Kaitai Zhang, Shujun Cheng, Wei Sun. 3D Printing of cervical tumor model for anti-tumor drug testing. 2014 International Conference on Additive Manufacturing and Bio-manufacturing. 2014, Nov.12-Nov.14, Beijing, China.

 

[17] Liliang Ouyang, Rui Yao, Xi Chen, Jie Na, Wei Sun. 3D printing of human embryonic kidney 293FT cells with hydrogel: study the cell viability and biological functions. 2014 International Conference on Additive Manufacturing and Bio-manufacturing. 2014, Nov.12-Nov.14, Beijing, China.

 

[18] Long Zhao, Karen Chang Yan, Rui Yao, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. Controlled Micro-droplet Deposition and Application for Cell Printing. 2014 International Conference on Additive Manufacturing and Bio-manufacturing. 2014, Aug.4-Aug.6, Austin, USA.

 

[19] Long Zhao, Karen Chang Yan, Rui Yao, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. Alternating Force Based Drop-on-demand Micro-droplet Deposition for 3D Printing. 2014 International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium. 2014, Aug.4-Aug.6, Austin, USA.

 

[20] Long Zhao, Karen Chang Yan, Rui Yao, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. 3D Cell Printing and Modeling Based On Alternating Force Drived Drop-on-demand Micro-droplet Deposition. 2014 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society-Asia Pacific Meeting. 2014, Sep.24-Sep.27, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

 

[21] Long Zhao, Karen Chang Yan, Rui Yao, Feng Lin, Wei Sun. Controlled Micro-droplet Deposition and Application for Cell Printing. 2014 International Conference on Biofabrication. 2014, Sep.28-Oct.1, Pohang, Republic of Korea.

 

[22] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Jie Luan, Feng Lin. Injectable co-culture modules for vascularized adipose tissue regeneration. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society-Asia Pacific Chapter (TERMIS-AP). 2013, Oct.23-Oct.26, Shanghai, China.

 

[23] Yu Zhao, Liliang Ouyang, Rui Yao, Hongxu Ding, Ting Zhang, Wei Sun*. Engineering in vitro 3D tumor model using cell-assembling technology. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society-Asia Pacific Chapter (TERMIS-AP). 2013, Oct.23-Oct.26, Shanghai, China.

 

[24] Rui Yao. Co-culture 3D cell microsphere constructs for vascularized adipose tissue regeneration. National Annual Conference on Biomaterials. 2013, Dec.21-Dec.23, Shenzhen, China.

 

[25] Rui Yao, Jingyu Wang, Xiaokang Li, Jung Da, Kehkooi Kee, Yanan Du. Multilayered colony format directs enhanced hepatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. National Annual Conference on Biomedical Engineering. 2013, Sep.27-Sep.30, Shanxi, China.

 

[26] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Yongnian Yan, Feng Lin. In vivo regeneration of vascularized adipose tissue. The 3rd National Conference on Biofabrication. 2010. Sep.24-Sep.26, Jiangsu, China.

 

[27] Yongnian Yan, Renji Zhang, Feng Lin, Xiaohong Wang, Zhuo Xiong, Lei Zhang, Ting Zhang, Rui Yao. Controls of Shapes and Properties of Biomaterials in the field of Biofabrications. 2010 International Conference on Biofabrication, 2010. Oct.4-Oct.6, Philadelphia, USA.

 

[28] Rui Yao, Renji Zhang, Xiaohong Wang. Design and study of cell encapsulator for cell assembly technology. The 3rd International Conference on Rapid Prototyping. 2008. Nov.10-Nov13, Beijing, China.

 

Patents

Invention patent: A Vascularized Adipose Tissue Based on the Idea of Function Subarea.

CN 200910079726.8

Inventor: Rui Yao, Yongnian Yan, Renji Zhang, Xiaohong Wang, Feng Lin, Jie Luan, Zhou Xiong, Shaochun Sui, Lei Zhang, Qingping Lu

Invention patent: A Vascularized Injectable Adipose Tissue.

CN 200910090507.X

Inventor: Rui Yao, Yongnian Yan, Renji Zhang, Jie Luan, Xiaohong Wang, Feng Lin, Zhou Xiong, Lei Zhang, Qingping Lu.

Invention patent: Device and method for the homogenous and controllable growth of cell colony

CN 201110403987.8

Inventor: Yanan Du, Rui Yao, Jingyu Wang

PCT patent: Device for in vitro culture of cell colonies and its applications

PCT/CN2012/086149

Inventor: Yanan Du, Rui Yao, Jingyu Wang

Invention patent: A lung-on-chip device for biological toxicity testing

CN 201410524951.9

Inventor: Rui Yao, Yu Zhao, Wei Sun

Invention patent: A technology and device for integrative fabrication of tissue/organ/tumor-on-chip

CN 2015100075517.1

Inventor: Wei Sun, Yu Zhao, Rui Yao, Yang Li

Invention patent: a technology for construction of 3D tissue model and its applications

CN 201510155021.5

Inventor: Rui Yao, Wei Sun, Shuangshuang Mao, Yuyu Huang

Invention patent: fabrication method of 3D cryogel scaffold and its applications

CN 201510221917.9

Inventor: Rui Yao, Wei Sun, Shuangshuang Mao, Yuyu Huang

Invention patent: a device and technology for heterogeneous cell 3D printing

CN 201510455765.9

Inventor: Wei Sun, Rui Yao, Long Zhao, Tiankun Liu

Invention patent: a device and technology for high-throughput and multi-nozzle cell printing

CN 201510455762.5

Inventor: Wei Sun, Rui Yao, Tiankun Liu, Long Zhao

Invention patent: a cryogel scaffold, its fabrication method and applications

CN 201510590459.6

Inventor: Rui Yao, Wei Sun