Kit San Yuen | Virology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Molecular Biologist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Kit San Yuen | Virology | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor, at Tung Wah College, Hong Kong.

Dr. Yuen Kit San is an accomplished molecular virologist and assistant professor at Tung Wah College, Hong Kong. With a solid foundation in Applied Biology and Biotechnology from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Ph.D. from the University of Hong Kong, he specializes in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) biology, innate immunity, and CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing. Dr. Yuen’s research centers around the molecular mechanisms by which EBV manipulates host immune responses and how genome editing technologies can suppress viral persistence in cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He began his academic tenure at Tung Wah College as a senior lecturer in 2020 and was promoted to assistant professor in 2022. His impactful research outputs and collaborations with esteemed virologists have significantly advanced understanding in the field of virology and antiviral therapeutics.

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Yuen received his undergraduate training in Applied Biology with Biotechnology from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he developed an early interest in molecular biosciences. Pursuing advanced studies, he earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the University of Hong Kong. His doctoral work focused on the intricate interactions between the Epstein-Barr virus and host immunity, specifically its involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. During his academic journey, he mastered techniques such as CRISPR/Cas gene editing and virological assays, laying the groundwork for translational research. His education seamlessly integrated molecular biology, immunology, and cancer virology, making him proficient in designing cutting-edge research tackling emerging viral threats. His robust academic training under renowned scientists helped him gain valuable insights into host-virus dynamics and therapeutic innovations.

🧪 Experience

With over a decade of research experience in virology, Dr. Yuen has held significant academic roles, including senior lecturer and assistant professor in the School of Medical and Health Sciences and School of Nursing at Tung Wah College. His early postdoctoral work at the University of Hong Kong equipped him with critical skills in molecular cloning, signal transduction, and gene editing. He has worked closely with Prof. Dong-Yan Jin, contributing to over 25 peer-reviewed publications in top journals such as Journal of Virology, Cell & Bioscience, Nucleic Acids Research, and PLoS Pathogens. His academic leadership extends to mentoring students in molecular diagnostics and antiviral drug discovery. Dr. Yuen’s dedication to teaching and research has made him a pivotal figure in shaping biomedical education and virology research in Hong Kong.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Yuen’s research is rooted in virology, molecular biology, and immunology, with a concentrated focus on the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and its role in oncogenesis and immune evasion. He explores how EBV proteins like BGLF2 and BPLF1 suppress host interferon responses and disrupt signaling pathways such as cGAS-STING and JAK-STAT. His lab also investigates SARS-CoV-2 immune modulation mechanisms and Zika virus-mediated interferon dysregulation. Notably, Dr. Yuen applies CRISPR/Cas9 and Cas13 genome editing systems to eliminate latent EBV DNA in carcinoma cells, offering promising therapeutic prospects. He is passionate about translational virology, aiming to bridge basic research with clinical applications. His innovative work combining genome engineering and host-pathogen interaction studies contributes significantly to antiviral strategy development and immunological resilience research.

🏅 Awards

Dr. Yuen Kit San has achieved significant recognition for his contributions to molecular virology. His scientific work has garnered citations from researchers globally, earning him an H-index of 22 (Scopus). While specific awards are not listed in this application, Dr. Yuen’s elevation to assistant professorship within two years, multiple first and co-corresponding author roles, and consistent publication in Q1 journals serve as markers of excellence. His impactful research on EBV and CRISPR/Cas-mediated viral suppression continues to attract academic and clinical interest. With this nomination for the Best Researcher Award, Dr. Yuen’s dedication to advancing virus-host interaction science and gene-editing applications is duly recognized as a valuable contribution to biomedical innovation.

đź“š Top Noted Publications

Dr. Yuen has authored over 25 SCI-indexed journal articles, significantly contributing to molecular virology and innate immunity. Notable works include:

📌 CRISPR/Cas13‑Mediated Inhibition of EBNA1 (2025)

  • Authors & Journal: Not found in indexed sources yet—likely early-release/preprint.

  • DOI / Link: Not currently available.

  • Summary: Describes inhibition of EBV’s EBNA1 protein using RNA-targeting CRISPR‑Cas13.

  • Citation Count: Too new to have been cited; none found.

📌 Nsp1 facilitates SARS‑CoV‑2 replication (2024, mBio)

  • Authors, DOI / Link: Specific details not located via search—likely available directly through mBio.

  • Key Insight: Demonstrates viral Nsp1 suppresses host translation to enhance replication.

  • Citation Count: Unable to determine.

đź“Ś Suppression of IFN by EBV BGLF2 (2023, Hong Kong Medical Journal)

  • Citation: Jin DY, Yuen KS, Botelho MG. HK Med J. 2023;29(Suppl 1):S39–41 reddit.compmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2hkmj.org+2reddit.com+2

  • DOI / Link: Via HKMJ (supplement) – full PDF available.

  • Summary: BGLF2 tegument protein inhibits both Type I/II IFNs via JAK‑STAT suppression, STAT1/STAT2 degradation by recruiting SHP1 hkmj.org.

đź“Ś BPLF1 suppresses innate immunity (2023, PLoS Pathogens)

  • Authors & DOI: Not retrieved yet; likely localized in PLoS Pathogens.

  • Summary: EBV deubiquitinase BPLF1 interferes with innate immunity—details not present in our sources.

📌 COVID‑19 critical research questions (2021, Cell & Bioscience)

  • Citation: Cell & Bioscience 11:215 (2021). DOI:10.1186/s13578‑021‑00730‑1 link.springer.com

  • Summary: Revisits key unanswered questions—from transmission and diagnostics to pathogenesis—outlined originally in early 2020 and updated in late 2021 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15link.springer.com+15apnews.com+15.

📌 JAK‑STAT suppression by EBV (2021, Journal of Virology)

  • Details: Not located yet; title suggests EBV proteins hinder JAK‑STAT, common immune evasion mechanism.

📌 miR‑342‑3p in B‑cell lymphoma (2020, Clinical Epigenetics)

  • Citation: “Epigenetic silencing of miR‑342‑3p in B cell lymphoma…” Clinical Epigenetics https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33076962/ hkmj.orgpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1

  • DOI: PubMed confirms PMID: 33076962.

  • Summary: Methylation silences miR‑342‑3p, suppressing pro-survival autophagy via MAP1LC3B targeting and DNMT1 regulation pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1.

  • Citation Count: Not specified.

📌 MERS‑CoV ORF8b & IFN suppression (2020, Journal of Immunology)

  • Citation: “MERS‑CoV ORF8b accessory protein suppresses Type I IFN…” J Immunol. 205(6):1564–76 apnews.com+15journals.aai.org+15pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15

  • Summary: ORF8b binds HSP70, inhibiting IKKε/IRF3 activation and dampening IFN-β expression journals.aai.org+1pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1.

📌 Zoonotic origins of SARS‑CoV‑2 (2020, Int. J. Biol. Sci.)

  • Citation: Ye ZW et al., Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16(10):1686–1697. DOI:10.7150/ijbs.45472 ijbs.com+1ijbs.com+1

  • Summary: A comprehensive review of the seven human CoVs, detailing reservoir hosts (bats, etc.) and interspecies transmission newyorker.com+2ijbs.com+2ijbs.com+2.

📌 CRISPR/Cas9‑mediated EBV editing (2018, Virus Research)

  • Citation: Yuen KS et al. Virus Res. 2018;244:296–303. DOI:10.1016/j.virusres.2017.04.019 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  • Summary: Targets EBV LMP1 via CRISPR/Cas9, reducing latent EBV DNA load in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Conclusion

Dr. Yuen Kit San’s publication record, methodological innovation and focused contributions to CRISPR‑based antiviral research make him highly competitive for a “Best Researcher Award.” His work already shapes fundamental understanding of EBV immune evasion and offers tangible therapeutic avenues. Addressing translational gaps and expanding professional visibility will further elevate his profile, but his current achievements convincingly meet—and in several dimensions exceed—the award’s excellence criteria.