Ruzhe Han is a PhD student at the University of Basel since 2022 (parts of his thesis were conducted before at the University of Bern). Before that, he earned his Bachelor's degree in 2018 from China Medical University, focusing on the expression of STAT3 in breast cancer and its clinical significance. In 2021, he obtained his Master's degree from Kyushu University, Japan, researching how DIF-1 activates cofilin, leading to mitochondrial fission.

His master's research revealed that DIF-1 suppresses MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting p70S6K/p85S6K activity and STAT3 protein synthesis, resulting in reduced cyclin D1 expression. This novel mechanism differs from previously known pathways involving GSK-3 activation. In vivo studies showed that DIF-1 administration reduced tumor growth without adverse effects, highlighting its potential as an anti-tumor agent.

Currently, Ruzhe is screening natural products that inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathways in melanoma, focusing on the ethyl acetate extract of Mammea americana. Aiming to combat drug resistance in malignant melanoma, which is the deadliest skin cancer with rising incidence rates, his work seeks compounds to enhance combination therapies. His research was recognized with the Best Poster Award at the International Congress on Natural Products Research (ICNPR) 2024 in Krakow, Poland.

Publication(s):

Inoue et al. (2023): Differentiation-inducing factor 1 activates cofilin through pyridoxal phosphatase and AMP-activated protein kinase, resulting in mitochondrial fission. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 152 (1), p. 39-49. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphs.2023.02.009.

Arioka et al. (2024): Mammalian target of differentiation-inducing factor-1 is mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase for activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and induction of mitochondrial fission. Life Sciences, 351, p. 122807. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122807.