Hening Lin, a prominent chemical biologist, has joined the University of Chicago to advance research that bridges basic scientific discoveries with clinical applications. Previously at Cornell University, Lin is known for his work in chemical biology, which combines chemistry, molecular biology, and medicine.
Lin's office overlooks key medical facilities at UChicago Medicine, a factor he cites as influential in his decision to join the university in 2024. "If you look at the top 20 institutions in the country, how many places have a top-ranked cancer program and a highly ranked medical school that are right next to each other? And then have a chemistry department within five minutes walking distance?" Lin said.
Lin's career began serendipitously. Growing up in Shandong province, China, he excelled in chemistry competitions and later pursued this interest at Tsinghua University. His academic journey took him to Columbia University for a Ph.D., where he was mentored by Virginia Cornish in chemical biology. Further training at Harvard Medical School under Chris Walsh led him to focus on enzymes and their regulatory mechanisms.
At Cornell, Lin studied enzymes related to aging and metabolism. His team discovered different functions among sirtuins—enzymes linked to various physiological processes—and developed molecules with potential anti-cancer effects.
Now at UChicago, Lin aims to establish a core facility for chemical biology and therapeutics. This center will assist researchers by providing technology and expertise needed for developing drug molecules targeting genes and proteins. "This core facility will provide a service to biologists and clinical scientists who haven’t had the resources to develop drug molecules," Lin stated.
The initiative seeks to accelerate translational research by fostering collaboration across disciplines like biology, chemistry, and engineering.