2026-03-19T10:18:51+08:002020-04-17|
Contact Information
Title
Associate Dean (Research)
Distinguished Professor
Office
(Address) E12-4015 / (Phone) +853 8822 4993
Lab
(Address) N22-2004, 2010a / (Phone) +853 8822 2919, 8822 2920
Team Office
(Address) N22-2003 / (Phone) +853 8822 2908
Email
renhexu@um.edu.mo
Consultation Hours

Mon 16:00 – 18:00

Teaching

HSCI4002 Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

GEST2001 Biology in Our Daily Life

Research Team
Name Position Office Phone Email
Haoyu ZHENGResearch Assistant (Lab Representative)N22-2003+853 8822 2908haoyuzheng@um.edu.mo
Sophie WagleResearch Assistant (Lab Representative)N22-2003+853 8822 2908sophiewagle@um.edu.mo
Chi Chong CHIOPost-doctoral FellowN22-2003+853 8822 2908andychio@um.edu.mo
Junhui LIPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Peizhuo PANGPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Changkun YANGPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Guihui QINPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Guoyue WANPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Miaoman YEPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Jinjie WUPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Lili YUPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Kailibinuer KadierPhD StudentN22-2003+853 8822 2908
Education
DSc University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
MMed Central South University, Changsha, China
BMed University of South China, Hengyang, China
Positions
2020 – Present Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
2018 – Present Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
2014 – 2020 Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
2006 – 2014 Associate Professor, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
1999 – 2006 Senior Scientist, WiCell Research Institute, Madison, WI, USA
1994 – 1996 Research Fellow, NCI-FCRDC, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
1992 – 1994 Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Aids & Immunology Research Institute, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Research Interests
We study stem cell biology and its translational applications. Our group first identified the key factors and signaling pathways required to sustain the self‑renewal and long‑term culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) (Nat. Biotechnol. 2002; Nat. Methods 2005; Cell Stem Cell 2008), and we uncovered recurrent copy‑number variations in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) (Nat. Biotechnol. 2011). We also mapped the global iPSC landscape using analyses of relevant patents and clinical trials (Nat. Biotechnol. 2024). In 2016, we discovered a new strategy to derive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by differentiating hESCs through trophoblast intermediates (T‑MSCs, patented). T‑MSCs can integrate into mouse blastocysts and contribute to fetal cartilage tissues (Cell Rep. 2023). They have also been used to reveal how tumor stromal cells help circulating tumor cells evade NK‑cell–mediated killing to promote metastasis (Adv. Sci. 2024). For therapeutic applications, T‑MSCs have shown efficacy in mouse and monkey models of multiple sclerosis and colitis (Stem Cell Rep. 2014; Stem Cells 2016), osteoarthritis (Theranostics 2019a), and diabetic skin wounds (Theranostics 2019b; Adv. Sci. 2025; J. Nanobiotechnol. 2026). T‑MSCs also enhance human fat graft retention in nude mice (Biomaterials 2021). Notably, MSC spheroids can be stored at ambient temperature for over 10 days without cryopreservation (Biomaterials 2017). We further characterized the distribution, survival, and biosafety of T‑MSCs, administered either as single cells or spheroids, in monkeys following intravenous injection (Biomaterials 2022). T‑MSCs have been approved as an Investigational New Drug (IND) by both the U.S. FDA and China’s NMPA for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Clinical studies are also underway in China to evaluate T‑MSCs for diabetic foot ulcers, graft‑versus‑host disease (GvHD), and osteoarthritis. We are recruiting PhD students, research assistants, and postdoctoral fellows with training in cellular, molecular, or developmental biology to pursue research in the following areas:

  1. The origin, heterogeneity, and development of MSCs through chimeric embryogenesis;
  2. Biological and therapeutic comparisons of pluripotent‑cell‑derived MSCs versus somatic‑tissue‑derived MSCs;
  3. The roles of MSCs and cancer‑associated fibroblasts in tumorigenesis.
Representative Publications
  1. Wu, J., Qin, G., Wang, X., Yi, Y., Xu, R.-H. Human ES Cell-Derived MSC Spheroids Encapsulated in Polydopamine Nanoparticle-Modified GelMA Hydrogel Enhance Diabetic Wound Healing. J. Nanobiotechnol. 24(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s12951-026-04066-1. 2026.
  2. He, W., He, Z., Deng, W., Wu, C., Huang, W., Liang, Y., Li, C., Chen, Y., Luo, R., Zhao, Y., Liao, J., Zhou, X., Chen, G., Xu, R.-H.*, Liu, M.*, Dong, J.* Modeling mammalian hibernation to improve organ cold preservation: using the intestine as an example. Cell Res. 0:1-4. doi.org/10.1038/s41422-025-01149-w. 2025.
  3. Fu, S., Huang, B., Li, E., Xu, X., and Xu, R.-H. Chimerization of human ESC-derived extraembryonic cells with the mouse blastocyst. Int’l J. Biol. Sci. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.99519. 20(13): 5056-5069. 2024.
  4. Yi, Y., Qin, G., Yang, H., Jia, H., Zeng, Q., Zheng, D., Ye, S., Zhang, Z., Liu, T.M., Luo, K.Q., Deng, C.-X., and Xu, R.-H. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Increase the Natural Killer Resistance of Circulating Tumor Cells via Intercellular Signaling of cGAS-STING-IFNβ-HLA. Adv. Sci. DOI:10.1002/advs.202400888 2024.
  5. Lvu L., Feng, Y., Huang, B., Xu, R.-H.*, and Hu, Y.* Mapping global landscape for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patents and clinical trials. Nat. Biotechnol. 2024.
  6. Huang, B., Fu, S., Hao, Y., Yueng, C.K., Zhang, X., Li, E., Xu, X., Shao, N., and Xu, R.-H. Developmental potency of human ES cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells revealed in mouse embryos following blastocyst injection. Cell Rep. 42(12):113459. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113459. 2023.
  7. Yeung, C.K., Yan, Y., Yan, L., Duan, Y., Li, E., Huang, B., Lu, K., Li, K., Zhou, M., Zhang, L., Wu, Y., Luo, K.Q., Ji, W., Xu, R.-H.*, Si, W.* Preclinical safety evaluation and tracing of human mesenchymal stromal cell spheroids following intravenous injection into cynomolgus. Biomaterials 289, 121759, 2022.
  8. Yeung, C.K., Yan, Y., Yan, L., Duan, Y., Li, E., Huang, B., Lu, K., Li, K., Zhou, M., Zhang, L., Wu, Y., Luo, K.Q., Ji, W., Xu, R.-H.*, Si, W.* Preclinical safety evaluation and tracing of human mesenchymal stromal cell spheroids following intravenous injection into cynomolgus. Biomaterials 289, 121759, 2022.
  9. Borkar R.P., Wang X., Zheng D., Miao Z., Zhang Z., Li E., Wu Y., and Xu R.-H. Human ESC-derived MSCs enhance fat engraftment by promoting adipocyte reaggregation, secreting CCL2 and mobilizing macrophages. Biomaterials 272:120756, 2021.
  10. Wang, X., Jiang, B., Sun, H., Zheng, D., Zhang, Z., Yan, L., Li, E., Wu, Y., and Xu, R.-H. Noninvasive application of mesenchymal stem cell spheres derived from hESC accelerates wound healing in a CXCL12-CXCR4 axis-dependent manner. Theranostics 9(21):6112-28, 2019.
  11. Jiang, B., Fu, X., Yan, L., Li, S., Zhao, D., Wang, X., Duan, Y., Yan, Y., Li, E., Wu, K., Inglis, B.M., Ji, W., Xu, R.-H.*, and Si, W.* Transplantation of human ESC-derived mesenchymal stem cell spheroids ameliorates spontaneous osteoarthritis in rhesus macaques. Theranostics 9(22):6587-600, 2019.
  12. Jiang, B., Yan, L., Miao, Z., Li, E., Wong, K.H., and Xu, R.-H. Spheroidal formation preserves human stem cells for prolonged time under ambient conditions for facile storage and transportation. Biomaterials133:275-86, 2017.
  13. Zheng, D., Wang, X., and Xu, R.-H. One stone for multiple birds: generating universally compatible human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells. 34(9):2269-75, Sept. 2016.
  14. Wang, X., Lazorchak, A.S., Song, L., Li, E., Jiang, B., Zhang, Z., and Xu, R.-H. Immune modulatory mesenchymal stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells through a trophoblast-like stage. Stem Cells34(2):380-91, 2016.
  15. Wang, X., Lazorchak, A.S., Song, L., Li, E., Jiang, B., Zhang, Z., and Xu, R.-H. Immune modulatory mesenchymal stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells through a trophoblast-like stage. Stem Cells34(2):380-91, 2016.
  16. Luong, M.X., Auerbach, J., Crook, J.M., Daheron, , Hei, D., Lomax, J., Loring, J.F., Ludwig, T., Rooke, H.M., Schlaeger, T.M., Smith, K.P., Stacey, G., Xu, R.-H., and Zeng, F. A call for standardized naming and reporting of human ES and iPS cell lines. Cell Stem Cell 8(4):357-9, 2011.
  17. Martins-Taylor, K., Nisler, B.S., Taapken, S.M., Compton, T., Crandall, L., Montgomery, K.D., Lalande, M., and Xu, R.-H. Recurrent copy number variations in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 29(6):488-91, 2011.
  18. Xu, R.-H., Sampsell-Barron, T.L., Gu, F., Root, S., Peck, R.M., Pan, G., Yu, J., Antosiewicz-Bourget, J., Tian, S., Stewart, and Thomson, J.A. NANOG is a direct target of TGF-beta/Activin mediated SMAD signaling in human ES cells. Cell Stem Cell 3(2):196-206, 2008.
  19. Xu, R.-H., Peck, R.M., Li, D.S., Feng, X., Ludwig, T., and Thomson, J.A. Basic FGF and suppression of BMP signaling sustain undifferentiated proliferation of human ES cells. Nat. Methods 2(3):185-190, 2005.
  20. Xu, R.-H., Chen, X., Li, D.S., Li, R., Addicks, G.C., Glennon, C., Zwaka, T.P., and Thomson, J.A. BMP4 initiates human embryonic stem cell differentiation to trophoblast. Nat. Biotechnol. 20(12):1261-4, 2002.
Full publications list
Research Grants
2025 – 2028 Macau Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) grant #0106/2024/RIA2, MOP 2,358,000
2023 – 2027 Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Key R&D grant, RMB 30,000,000
2022 – 2026 Macau Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) Key grant #0002-2021-AKP, MOP 8,000,000
2023 – 2026 National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) General grant #32270842, RMB 540,000
Patents
  1. Xu, R.-H. and Thomson, J.A. Method for generating primate trophoblasts. US patent # US7390657 B2.
  2. Xu, R.-H. and Thomson, J.A. Feeder-independent extended culture of embryonic stem cells. US patent # US7,514,260 B2.
  3. Wang, X. and Xu, R.-H. Trophoblast-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) produced from human embryonic stem cells, methods and uses thereof. US9,725,698, WO2014/011881, EP2872619 A2.
  4. Wang, X., ImStem Biotechnology, Inc., and Xu, R.-H. Mesenchymal-like stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cell, methods and uses thereof. USA #9745551 (29 Aug. 2017), #10226488 (12 Mar. 2019), Japan #2015-521809 (19 Dec. 2017), Australia #2013290146 (20 Dec. 2017), Europe #13816 490.0-1120/2872619 (18 Jan. 2018).
  5. ImStem Biotechnology, Co. Ltd., 王小方，徐仁和：人胚胎幹細胞衍生的間充質樣幹細胞、方法及應用，專利號：CN104487568B。授權日期：15 Aug. 2017。
  6. 徐仁和、蔣斌、燕麗：一种常温条件下保存和运输幹細胞的方法及其所使用的基質。專利號：CN 107306936B。授權日期：2021/01/06。
  7. 徐仁和、楊鵑、鄭德錦、朴政友：角膜上皮細胞和角膜支架及其製備方法和應用。專利號：CN 110468094B。授權日期：2021/04/13。
  8. 徐仁和、王曉燕、蔣斌：一種用於治療皮膚損傷的幹細胞軟膏及其製備方法。專利號：201710366533.5。授權日期：2022/01/05。
  9. Ren-He Xu, Bin Jiang, and Li Yan: Method of differentiating pluripotent stem cells into mesenchymal stem cells under 3D spheroidal culture conditions. US11098281. Date of patent: 24 Aug. 2021.
Awards
2021 粵港澳大灣區高價值專利培育佈局大賽 100強、50強和8強（優秀獎）
2019 Best Teacher Award (Excellence in Research), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
2018 Excellent Team Prize, the Grand Final of HKUST One Million Dollar International Entrepreneurship Competition, Guangzhou, China
2018 Finalist, “Fosun Protechting” Global Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Lisbon, Portugal
2018 First place, Bank of China Trophy One Million Dollar Macau Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Macau, China
2009 International Research Award of Royan Institute, Iran
2007 Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE): Award of Merit for UConn Stem Cell Core. New Haven, Connecticut, USA
2007 Connecticut State Register and Manual (Annual State Bluebook): Honoree of 2007 awarded by the Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz in the State Capitol, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
1997 NIH NCI-FCRDC: Outstanding Science Achievement Award, Frederick, MD, USA
News Coverage
2019. UM Today: “UM achieves breakthrough in developing a non-invasive method to treat skin wounds with stem cell spheres”.
澳門日報
2019. TVB show, “Scoop東張西望”: “UM development – fostering technology and business starters”.
TVB東張西望
2017. UM researchers develop new technology for stem cell storage (澳大幹細胞研究新突破 無需冷藏可保存7天以上)
澳門每日時報
UM Today
Hojemacau
2014. Reuters: ImStem Biotechnology, Inc. makes progress on multiple sclerosis treatment with embryonic stem cells.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/05/ct-imstem-biotech-idUSnPn5KtTZ2+96+PRN20140605/
2014. UM academic achieves new breakthrough in stem cell research for multiple sclerosis (科研又一突破 澳大學者幹細胞研究有望治療多發性硬化症)
Macau Governmental Portal
UM Today
2013. UConn Today: Health Center Researchers Awarded State Stem Cell Funds. http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2013/06/uconn-health-center-researchers-awarded-state-stem-cell-funds/
2013. UConn Today: New Stem Cell Company Opens Lab at UConn Health Center. http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2013/02/new-stem-cell-company-opens-lab-at-uconn-health-center/
2011. Health Center Today: Researchers Study Genomic Stability of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
http://today.uchc.edu/features/2011/jun11/stemcells.html
2010. UConn Today: Four UConn Stem Cell Lines Approved for Use in Federally Funded Research.
http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2010/06/four-uconn-stem-cell-lines-approved-for-use-in-federally-funded-research/
2007. Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE): Award of Merit for UConn Stem Cell Core. New Haven, Connecticut on Dec. 4.
2007. Connecticut State Register and Manual (Annual State Bluebook): Honoree of 2007 an annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz in the State Capitol, Hartford, Connecticut on Oct. 3.
2005. Science: Getting the Mice out of ES Cell Cultures.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15746400
2005. USA Today: Cell Researchers make gains in removing mouse molecules. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2005-02-18-broken-stems_x.htm
1997. NIH NCI-FCRDC: Outstanding Science Achievement Award, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Professional Activities
  • Founding President of Macau Society for Stem Cell Research
  • Member of International Society for Stem Cell Research
  • Member of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Member of Chinese Society for Cell Biology
  • Council of Chinese Society for Cell Therapy
  • Council of Chinese Society for Stem Cell ​Research
  • Council of GD-HK-Macau Greater Bay Alliance for Stem Cell Research
  • Council of GD-HK-Macau Greater Bay Alliance for Stem Cell and Precision Medicine Innovation & Industrialization
  • Vice Chair of GD-HK-Macau Greater Bay Alliance for Translational Medicine
Review Services

  • Strategic Trailblazing Program, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Thousands Talents (Youth) Program, China
  • Women’s Health Research, Yale University
  • National Natural Science Foundation, China
  • Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute
  • New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) Program
  • Maryland State Stem Cell Research Fund
  • Changjiang Scholar Program, China
Editorial Board Member

  • American Journal of Stem Cells
  • Experimental Biology and Medicine
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry (2011-2017)
  • Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
  • International Journal of Biological Sciences (Executive editor)
Current Staff
Angela Enqin LI, Laboratory Manager
Jung Woo PARK, Senior Instructor
Changkun YANG, Research Assistant
Grace Guihui QIN, Research Assistant
Dejin ZHENG, PhD student
Roma BORKAR, PhD student
Borong HUANG, PhD student
Siyi FU, Macau Talent Program PhD student
Haibo PENG, PhD student
Ye YI, PhD student
Sen YE, PhD student
Philip Naderev Panuringan LAGNITON, FYP student
Cleas Junjie HAO, FYP student​