Recently, the Peking University Academic Degree Assessment Committee approved the list of recipients for the 2026 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertations. After rigorous selection through departmental recommendations, expert reviews, and committee evaluations, Tian Yu, a doctoral graduate from the research group of Associate Professor Andrew S. Lee at our school (School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School), stood out with his dissertation that combines both originality and translational value. He was successfully selected for the "2026 Peking University Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation" award, and his supervisor, Associate ProfessorAndrew S. Lee, was concurrentlyawarded as "Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Advisor".
Tian Yu's doctoral dissertation, titled "Skeletal Muscle–Targeted Non‑Viral Delivery of FullLength Dystrophin mRNA for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy," addresses Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)–a rare genetic disease that currently lacks effective therapies. He designed a novel delivery strategy based on engineered extracellular vesicles that can precisely transport fulllength dystrophin mRNA to skeletal muscle tissue, thereby bypassing the limitations of traditional viral vectors in terms of cargo capacity and safety. The research findings have been published in the internationally renowned journalNature Biomedical Engineeringand have further advanced beyond the laboratory into clinical validation. To date, thisparticular therapy has completed human trials in two patients (ClinicalTrials.gov registrationID: NCT07188012). Early data show promising safety profiles, and the treated pediatric patients have exhibited notable improvements in motor function.
Tian Yu with his supervisor Prof. Lee and committee members
Tian Yu's receipt of this prestigious Peking University Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation award is, on the one hand, an authoritative recognition of his dedicated research and his courage in tackling difficult challenges; on the other hand, it vividly demonstrates the rigorous, truth‑seeking, and pioneering mentorship of his supervisor's team. This work is rooted in the major strategic direction of life and health, which bears on national welfare and people's livelihood. It serves as a strong testament to our school's educational philosophy of grounding itself in interdisciplinary frontiers, aligning with major national needs, and carefully cultivating top‑notch innovative talents.
Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School has long leveraged the location and innovation advantages of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area to deepen industry‑academia‑research collaboration, encourage young scholars to tackle critical "bottleneck" issues in life sciences and medicine, and continuously produce original achievements that are both theoretically profound and translationally promising. Looking ahead, our school will continue to place moral education at the core of its mission, steadily optimize the training mechanisms for top‑notch innovative talent, and sustain the momentum for frontier exploration and breakthrough core technologies. We are committed to supporting the nation's goal of achieving high‑level scientific and technological self‑reliance, and to nurturing a new generation of young researchers with solid foundations and interdisciplinary competence.
