Dr Ning Wang

Dr. Ning Wang is a Lecturer in Cancer Metabolism and Prevention with specific research interests in the prevention of cancer metastasis.

Dr. Wang undertook his undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MRes) training in biology at Ocean University of China. After moving to the UK in 2004, he studied the trend of Biotech-industry development at Loughborough University and gained his MSc in Management the following year. He then joined Professor Alison Gartland’s group in Sheffield and was awarded his PhD in 2010 for his contribution to investigating the roles of purinergic signalling in osteoporosis.

Dr. Wang was subsequently appointed as a Post-doctoral Research Associate in Dr. Colby Eaton’s lab and took a leading role in developing the models used in the identification of dormant metastasis-initiating tumour cells in a Cancer Research UK programme grant. He was then employed as a Senior Post-doctoral Research Associate in Professor Tim Skerry’s group in 2014 and worked on the Wellcome Trust sponsored programme in the development of novel agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

In 2017, he established his own independent research group in the Cancer theme within the Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, and led the research on defining the impact of exercise on the initiation and progression of prostate/breast cancer skeletal metastasis using pre-clinical models.

In early 2024, Dr. Wang moved to Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, and continued his glucose metabolism-centered cancer research, meanwhile continuing to hold an Honorary Research Fellow position at the Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield.

My research interests are focused on discovery research in cancer prevention and treatment, particularly in cancer induced bone disease. Currently, multiple on-going projects are focused on characterizing metastasis initiating cancer cells, investigating interactions between these cells and the bone microenvironment, and exploring novel approaches (exercise, targeting purinergic signalling and glycosylation) to mitigate cancer aggressiveness and bone metastasis. I’m also interested in mechanistic research of other musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The purposes of these innovative studies are to conduct world-leading research but more importantly to translate research results into clinical benefits for patients at the earliest opportunity. 

Current research projects

• Harnessing a new immunological pathway to activate the immune system against bone metastasis (Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer Research Bone Metastasis Collaboration Fund grant)
• Understanding P2X4 receptor and extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer metastasis (British Council Springboard Programme for bilateral UK-France ECR partnerships)
• Revolutionising prostate cancer bone metastasis treatment using novel glycan targeting therapies (Prostate Cancer Research Project Grant)
• Targeting GALNT7 to develop new drugs for the personalised treatment of prostate cancer (Prostate Cancer UK Research Innovation Award)
  

Previous research projects

• Using glycan targeting drugs to block prostate cancer bone metastasis (Prostate Cancer Research Project Grant)
• Determining the impact of mechanical loading induced bone remodelling on the initiation and progression of prostate cancer skeletal metastasis (Prostate Cancer UK Research Innovation Award)
• Determining the impact of exercise on the initiation of breast cancer skeletal metastasis using pre-clinical models (Weston Park Cancer Charity Large Grant)
• Defining the role of P2X7 receptor in the prostate cancer metastasizing into the skeleton (The Royal Society International Exchange Scheme)

Dr. Wang has supervised three PhD students to completion as their primary supervisor and three more PhD students as their secondary supervisor. Additionally, he provides high-quality research projects for MSc students on a yearly basis.

Dr. Wang currently is the primary supervisor for one postdoctoral fellow, two PhD students and one MD student.

If you are interested in carrying out a research project, please get in touch directly with Dr. Wang.

I have gained recognition of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in 2016. I actively contribute to the Departmental teaching –designing and deliver various lectures to PGR, MSc and MBChB students. I also provide research projects for both postgraduates (PhD and MSc) and undergraduates.

Membership of learned Societies

European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), ECTS Academy (2019-2024),

Lifelong member of International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS),

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), Cancer and Bone Society,

Metastasis Research Society, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR),

British Association for Cancer Research,

COST Action (CA21130) - P2X receptors as a therapeutic opportunity (PRESTO)

Invited reviewer for funding applications

Molecular & Cellular Medicine Board (MCMB), MRC, UK; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), KWF Kankerbestrijding – Dutch Cancer Society (DCS); Dutch Research Council (NWO) ZonMw Open Competition; National Science Center, Poland; Prostate Cancer UK; and JGW Patterson Foundation, UK.

Invited reviewer for journals

Nature Communication, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Journal of Experiment and Clinical Cancer Research, Scientific Reports, Bone, Anti-Cancer Drugs, International Journal of Cancer, Calcified Tissue International, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Journal of Bone Oncology, Purinergic Signalling, PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Anti-Cancer Drugs, Molecular Cancer Research, European Journal of Pharmacology, Experimental and Molecular Pathology, iScience, Tumour Biology.