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Li Li on Bringing Advanced Omics Technology to Dermatology

The Humans of the Wyss (HOW) series features members of the Wyss community discussing their work, the influences that shape them as professionals, and their collaborations at the Wyss Institute and beyond.

Li Li on Bringing Advanced Omics Technology to Dermatology
Li Li, Postdoctoral Fellow. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Whether she’s designing new clothes or creating and validating new therapeutics for inflammatory skin disorders and hair loss, Li Li is doing her best to help people regain their self-confidence. Inspired by her own experience with sensitive skin, Li Li is applying her bioinformatics training to find solutions for skin and hair rejuvenation. Learn more about Li Li and her work in this month’s Humans of the Wyss.

What are you working on?

I’m working on a Validation Project called GeneSkin. Our team has discovered novel gene targets that regulate scar formation and fibrosis, and we aim to validate new disease-modifying approaches based on these targets in both in vitro and in vivo models. We want to apply these effective therapeutic solutions for skin rejuvenation and hair regeneration, contributing to better dermatological health and well-being.

What real-world problem does this solve?

Our project will focus on combatting skin aging, inflammatory skin disorders, and androgenetic alopecia or pattern hair loss. Aging skin is less effective at wound healing, which can cause further health complications. In some cases, inflammatory skin disorders like acne, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa can cause pain. Often these conditions, as well as hair loss, can result in mental health challenges. These conditions affect millions globally, impacting their self-esteem and quality of life.

What inspired you to get into this field?

Growing up in China, we had a college entrance exam. My biology score was one of the highest in the state, and I like biology, a discipline that uncovers the secrets of life. From very early on, I knew that’s what I would study, but I didn’t want to be a doctor because I don’t like the sight of blood. When I learned about bioinformatics, which was a pretty new field at the time, I thought it would be an interesting way to do biology without having to deal with blood.

If we develop something novel that many people can use, the end goal is creating a product, not just a publication.

Li Li
Li Li on Bringing Advanced Omics Technology to Dermatology
Li Li and other members of Core Faculty member George Church’s lab posed together at the 2023 Wyss Retreat. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Before joining Harvard, I worked on a research project dedicated to screening biomarkers for prostate cancer. We discovered a different biomarker than prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is the one doctors use now. For many reasons, we could not translate this exciting finding into the clinic, but we did get a paper published. This experience planted a seed – I realized that achieving real-world impact is an important research goal for me. I was excited to join George Church’s lab because of its strong entrepreneurial spirit. That means if we develop something novel that many people can use, the end goal is creating a product, not just a publication.

I was inspired to work specifically on skin conditions because of my personal experience with sensitive skin and a desire to bring advanced omics technologies into dermatology. My goal is to help people suffering from skin disorders by providing innovative and practical solutions.

What continues to motivate you?

The ability to directly impact lives and make rapid advancements keeps me motivated every day. Scientists often overlook dermatology because skin disorders aren’t life-threatening. However, there are patients with severe comorbidities and critical skin disorders who could lose their lives. Plus, there is a mental toll on people who have certain skin conditions.

What excites you most about your work?

What excites me most is that as we discover novel biological targets to treat skin aging and hair loss, which I find interesting, my project’s translational nature means these findings can potentially benefit a broad population.

What are some of the challenges that you face?

As a person trained in bioinformatics, wet lab experiments were a new territory for me. I managed to learn everything, from cell culture to animal work, to become an expert. For example, each experimental step for an innovative protocol involved a trial-and-error process, and we encountered countless failures along the way.

Li Li on Bringing Advanced Omics Technology to Dermatology
Li Li wanted to join George Church’s lab at the Wyss because of its strong entrepreneurial spirit. Watching colleagues, like the two pictured here, spin out with Wyss startups reinforces her belief that the research done here can have real-world impact. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Another hurdle was obtaining the skin samples, which required Institutional Review Board approval, a complicated and time-consuming process. Eventually, I overcame these obstacles with persistence, dedication, and hard work.

Why did you want to work at the Wyss?

I wanted to join George Church’s lab because the members were doing cutting-edge research, and I wanted to join the Wyss Institute because, to me, it is the best institution in Boston that brings together high-quality scientists to collaborate on projects that turn into products. The community is full of exceptional people committed to conducting impactful science. The supportive and innovative environment fosters both personal and professional growth. All of this aligns with my personal interests.

What is unique about the Wyss? How has that impacted your work?

The Wyss Institute offers an unparalleled system for supporting translational projects, including access to funding, multidisciplinary teams, business development experts, intellectual property lawyers, and other invaluable resources.

Li Li

The Wyss Institute offers an unparalleled system for supporting translational projects, including access to funding, multidisciplinary teams, business development experts, intellectual property lawyers, and other invaluable resources. This ecosystem has significantly enhanced the scope and efficiency of my work, allowing me to focus on scientific innovation.

How do you collaborate with teams from across the Wyss Institute?

Collaboration at the Wyss happens seamlessly across various teams, enabling interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. For example, we recently connected with members of Natalie Artzi’s group. From the first meeting, it was clear we were all very excited about in vivo experiments that leveraged the complementary expertise between the two labs. Now, we have a very close collaboration, with weekly meetings to discuss the progress.

Moreover, I receive invaluable support from experts in engineering, biology, and business development at the Wyss, ensuring that my project is robust both scientifically and commercially.

How have your previous work and personal experiences shaped your approach to your work today?

My experiences with sensitive skin and prior research instilled a patient-centered perspective in my work. I prioritize practical applications and strive for solutions that are both effective and accessible to those who need them most.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy fashion design. When I was younger, my father was assigned a fashion-adjacent job related to the manufacturing of cashmere sweaters. I thought about a career in fashion, but I realized how difficult it was, so I decided to pursue it as a hobby. I took fashion classes while I was getting my undergraduate degree, and then took a few more in Boston. Now, I create clothing designs and ship them to a company that makes the garments. I also work with an influencer to help sell the clothes.

It’s a creative outlet that allows me to explore aesthetics and express myself in a different way than science does, while also adding an unconventional dimension to my scientific perspective. It’s also a great way to learn more about entrepreneurship since I think about consumer behavior, marketing, pricing, and many other things any other business owner would consider.

If you had to choose an entirely different career path, what would it be?

I might pursue a career in fashion design, where I could combine my creative vision with technical precision. It allows me to express creativity while shaping how people feel and present themselves, benefiting others in a different way than being a scientist. It is a very difficult path – it’s tough to make a profit, you have to work incredibly hard, and you are subject to design trends.

Otherwise, I might be a lawyer, which combines my passion for problem-solving with a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. I would work to protect rights and resolve conflicts,

What does it feel like to be working on cutting-edge technology that has the potential to have a real and significant impact on people’s lives and society?

Acne might not be life-threatening, but the mental health impact on someone who is bullied for their skin or lacks self-esteem can be significant. I am passionate about bringing people more confidence and improving their quality of life.

Li Li

It is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my efforts have the potential to improve lives and contribute to society’s well-being drives my commitment to excellence and innovation. The difference between working on a severe disease and what I do is that patients with skin problems are often overlooked. For example, acne might not be life-threatening, but the mental health impact on someone who is bullied for their skin or lacks self-esteem can be significant. I am passionate about bringing people more confidence and improving their quality of life.

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