Dr. Shen Qing
沈青

Research Assistant Professor

PhD

HKU link

Field of Research

Dr. SHEN Qing’s research focuses on the development of innovative hormone-based therapeutics for metabolic diseases. Her research program encompasses the design and mechanistic investigation of FGF21-based dual- and multi-receptor agonists, as well as metabolic hormone monotherapies and combination therapeutic strategies. A major focus of her work is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these therapeutic approaches and to advance their translational potential for the treatment of obesity and metabolic liver diseases.

Biography

Dr. Qing Shen is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, at The University of Hong Kong, and a member of the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (SKLPB). She received her PhD from Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where her doctoral research focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying obesity-associated cerebrovascular dysfunction. She subsequently completed her postdoctoral training at The University of Hong Kong, where she pursued research in metabolic diseases and the development of hormone-based therapeutics. Her research program encompasses metabolic inflammation, liver-centred inter-organ communication, and the development of peptide-based therapeutic strategies for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Selected Publications

Shen Q#, Zou H#, Jin L#, Liu J, Wang S, Li N, Zhou R, Ming Y, Wang B, Yang R, Song E, Lin Y, Liao S, Chen Z, Xiao Y, Chan YS, Tse HF, Xu A*. FGF21 synergizes with leptin to counteract obesity-related metabolic comorbidities by reversing hepatic leptin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 2026 Jul 16: S1550-4131(26)00247-0. Online. (IF=37, JCR ranking Q1, 2/289, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, First-listed co-first author.)
Shen Q, Chen Z, Zhao F, Pan S, Zhang T, Cheng X, Zhang L, Zhang S, Qi J, Li J, Cai D, Zhang G*. Reversal of prolonged obesity-associated cerebrovascular dysfunction by inhibiting microglial Tak1. Nature Neuroscience. 2020; 23: 832-841. (IF=24.884, JCR ranking Q1, 2/272, Neuroscience, General Neuroscience, First author.)
Chui ZSW#, Shen Q#, Xu A*. Current status and future perspectives of FGF21 analogues in clinical trials. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May; 35(5): 371-384. (IF=12.6, JCR ranking Q1, 4/132, Medicine, Endocrinology, Co-first author.)
Shen Q, Zhang G*. Depletion of microglia mitigates cerebrovascular dysfunction in diet-induced obesity mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Sep 1;321(3): E367-E375. (IF=3.1, JCR ranking Q1, 31/117, Medicine, Physiology (medical), First author.)
Zhou RH#, Yue M#, Shen Q#, Na Liu, Yuting Chen, Pui Wang, Kyungmin Kim, Ranyao Yang, Honglin Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Kelvin To, Aimin Xu, Chen ZW*. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prevents pulmonary post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 associated with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Virology. J Virol. 2026 Aug 18;100(8): e0040126. (IF=4.1, JCR ranking Q1, 11/193, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Insect Science, Co-first author.)

Research Fundings

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund — CNY 300,000; Principal Investigator (PI).
National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Program — CNY 480,000; Principal Investigator (PI).
Shenzhen Medical Research Fund, Youth Program — CNY 800,000; Principal Investigator (PI).
Shenzhen Natural Science Foundation, General Program — CNY 300,000; Principal Investigator (PI).

Other information

Staff recruitment: A Research Assistant (RA) position is currently available in our research team. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a background in metabolism or related biomedical research. Candidates with hands-on experience in animal experiments, cell culture, and data analysis are preferred. Interested candidates are welcome to contact me.