Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medicine University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2022
Master of Surgery (MS) Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 2018
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Jianghan University, 2015
Engineering
School of Chemical Engineering
I am a clinician-scientist with NSW Health and Adjunct Lecturer jointly appointed at the St George & Sutherland Clinical School and the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW. I also serve as Co-Director of Spine Biology at St George Hospital, where I help lead research bridging fundamental science and clinical application in spinal disorders.
My work centres on the biology of intervertebral disc degeneration—an often-overlooked but major cause of chronic spinal pain. Drawing on insights from molecular biology, cellular dynamics, and biomechanics, my research aims to uncover the mechanisms of disc aging and degeneration, and to pioneer new strategies for repair and regeneration.
In parallel with laboratory research, I am actively involved in clinical studies and translational trials focused on musculoskeletal health. I am passionate about turning discovery into better outcomes for patients living with complex and debilitating spinal conditions.
Li W; Tu J; Zheng J; Das A; Yan Q; Jiang X; Ding W; Bai X; Lai K; Yang S; Yang C; Zou J; Diwan AD; Zheng Z, 2025, 'Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients With Vertebral Bone Marrow Lesions', JOR Spine, 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.70042
Journal articles | 2024
Tu J; Li W, 2024, 'Letter to the editor Regarding ‘Causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and intervertebral disc degeneration: a Mendelian randomization study’ by Liu Z, et al. (Eur Spine J. 2024 Jun 24. Doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08367-7)', European Spine Journal, 33, pp. 4410 - 4411, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00586-024-08399-z
Journal articles | 2023
Lin J; Jiang L; Tu J; Wang X; Li W, 2023, 'Editorial: Oxidative stress in degenerative bone and joint diseases: novel molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential', Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1213380
Journal articles | 2023
Tu J; Li W; Hansbro PM; Yan Q; Bai X; Donovan C; Kim RY; Galvao I; Das A; Yang C; Zou J; Diwan A, 2023, 'Smoking and tetramer tryptase accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration by inducing METTL14-mediated DIXDC1 m6 modification', Molecular Therapy, 31, pp. 2524 - 2542, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.06.010
Journal articles | 2022
Huo Y; Yang D; Lai K; Tu J; Zhu Y; Ding W; Yang S, 2022, 'Antioxidant Effects of Resveratrol in Intervertebral Disk', Journal of Investigative Surgery, 35, pp. 1135 - 1144, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08941939.2021.1988771
Journal articles | 2022
Liu P; Wang W; Li Z; Li Y; Yu X; Tu J; Zhang Z, 2022, 'Ferroptosis: A New Regulatory Mechanism in Osteoporosis', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/2634431
Journal articles | 2022
Luo R; Li G; Zhang W; Liang H; Lu S; Cheung JPY; Zhang T; Tu J; Liu H; Liao Z; Ke W; Wang B; Song Y; Yang C, 2022, 'O-GlcNAc transferase regulates intervertebral disc degeneration by targeting FAM134B-mediated ER-phagy', Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 54, pp. 1472 - 1485, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s12276-022-00844-7
Journal articles | 2022
Tian Y; Duan J; Cao Y; Zhou H; Diwan AD; Tu J, 2022, 'Bardoxolone Methyl Ameliorates Compression-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage of Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Ex Vivo', Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.814040
Journal articles | 2022
Tu J; Li W; Yang S; Yang P; Yan Q; Wang S; Lai K; Bai X; Wu C; Ding W; Cooper-White J; Diwan A; Yang C; Yang H; Zou J, 2022, 'Single-Cell Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Multicellular Ecosystem of Nucleus Pulposus during Degeneration Progression', Advanced Science, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/advs.202103631
Journal articles | 2021
Tu J; Castillo JV; Das A; Diwan AD, 2021, 'Degenerative cervical myelopathy: Insights into its pathobiology and molecular mechanisms', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10, pp. 1 - 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm10061214
Journal articles | 2021
Tu J; Li W; Yang S; Yang P; Yan Q; Wang S; Lai K; Bai X; Wu C; Ding W; Cooper-White J; Diwan A; Yang C; Yang H; Zou J, 2021, 'Single-cell transcriptome profiling reveals multicellular ecosystem of nucleus pulposus during degeneration progression', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.25.445620
Journal articles | 2021
Wang K; Liu W; Song Y; Wu X; Zhang Y; Li S; Gao Y; Tu J; Liu Y; Yang C, 2021, 'Correction to: The role of angiopoietin-2 in nucleus pulposus cells during human intervertebral disc degeneration (Laboratory Investigation, (2017), 97, 8, (971-982), 10.1038/labinvest.2017.35)', Laboratory Investigation, 101, pp. 1523 - 1524, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41374-021-00658-7
Journal articles | 2020
Bitenc-Jasiejko A; Konior K; Lietz-Kijak D; Tu J, 2020, 'Meta-Analysis of Integrated Therapeutic Methods in Noninvasive Lower Back Pain Therapy (LBP): The Role of Interdisciplinary Functional Diagnostics', Pain Research and Management, 2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/3967414
Journal articles | 2018
Hua W; Tu J; Li S; Wu X; Zhang Y; Gao Y; Zeng X; Yang S; Yang C, 2018, 'Full-endoscopic discectomy via the interlaminar approach for disc herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1', Medicine United States, 97, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000010585
Journal articles | 2018
Li S; Hua W; Wang K; Gao Y; Chen S; Liu W; Song Y; Wu X; Tu J; Kang L; Zhao K; Xiong L; Zhang Y; Yang C, 2018, 'Autophagy attenuates compression-induced apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus cells via MEK/ERK/NRF1/Atg7 signaling pathways during intervertebral disc degeneration', Experimental Cell Research, 370, pp. 87 - 97, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.06.012
Journal articles | 2018
Song Y; Li S; Geng W; Luo R; Liu W; Tu J; Wang K; Kang L; Yin H; Wu X; Gao Y; Zhang Y; Yang C, 2018, 'Sirtuin 3-dependent mitochondrial redox homeostasis protects against AGEs-induced intervertebral disc degeneration', Redox Biology, 19, pp. 339 - 353, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2018.09.006
Journal articles | 2018
Tu J; Hua W; Li W; Liu W; Luo R; Li S; Zhang Y; Kang L; Wang K; Song Y; Yang S; Yang C, 2018, 'Short-Term effects of minimally invasive dynamic neutralization system for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis', Medicine United States, 97, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000010854
Journal articles | 2018
Tu J; Li W; Li S; Liu W; Zhang Y; Wu X; Luo R; Hua W; Wang K; Song Y; Kang L; Yang W; Yang S; Yang C, 2018, 'Sestrin-Mediated Inhibition of Stress-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degradation Through the Enhancement of Autophagy', Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 45, pp. 1940 - 1954, http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000487970
Journal articles | 2018
Tu J; Li W; Shu S; Zhang Y; Hua W; Li S; Yang S; Yang C, 2018, 'Total spondylectomy of recurrent giant cell tumors in the cervical spine: Two case reports and review of literature', Medicine United States, 97, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000010799
Journal articles | 2018
Wang K; Kang L; Liu W; Song Y; Wu X; Zhang Y; Hua W; Zhao K; Li S; Tu J; Luo R; Yang C, 2018, 'Angiopoietin-2 promotes extracellular matrix degradation in human degenerative nucleus pulposus cells', International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 41, pp. 3551 - 3558, http://dx.doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3576
Journal articles | 2018
Wang K; Li S; Gao Y; Feng X; Liu W; Luo R; Song Y; Ji Tu ; Liu Y; Yang C, 2018, 'BCL3 regulates RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by interacting with TRAF6 in bone marrow-derived macrophages', Bone, 114, pp. 257 - 267, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2018.06.015
Journal articles | 2018
Yin H; Zhang Y; Wang K; Song Y; Tu J; Kang L; Zhao K; Wu X; Luo R; Yang C, 2018, 'The involvement of regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration', Experimental Cell Research, 372, pp. 188 - 197, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.10.001
Journal articles | 2017
Hua W; Zhang Y; Wu X; Kang L; Tu J; Zhao K; Li S; Wang K; Song Y; Luo R; Shao Z; Yang S; Yang C, 2017, 'Icariin attenuates interleukin-1β-induced inflammatory response in human nucleus pulposus cells', Current Pharmaceutical Design, 23, pp. 6071 - 6078, http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612823666170615112158
Journal articles | 2017
Hua WB; Wu XH; Zhang YK; Song Y; Tu J; Kang L; Zhao KC; Li S; Wang K; Liu W; Shao ZW; Yang SH; Yang C, 2017, 'Dysregulated miR-127-5p contributes to type II collagen degradation by targeting matrix metalloproteinase-13 in human intervertebral disc degeneration', Biochimie, 139, pp. 74 - 80, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2017.05.018
Journal articles | 2017
Kang L; Yang C; Song Y; Zhao K; Liu W; Hua W; Wang K; Tu J; Li S; Yin H; Zhang Y, 2017, 'MicroRNA-494 promotes apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation in degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells', Oncotarget, 8, pp. 27868 - 27881, http://dx.doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.15838
Journal articles | 2017
Li W; Tu J; Liu X; Yang W, 2017, 'Farnesyltransferase inhibitor FTI-277 inhibits PD-L1 expression on septic spleen lymphocytes and promotes spleen lymphocyte activation', Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 190, pp. 8 - 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cei.12995
Journal articles | 2017
Li WT; Tu J; Gao F; Liu GH; Shao ZW; Shi L; Zhang XL; Xiong LM, 2017, 'Innovation and development of gel dressings in bone exposed wound repair', Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 21, pp. 1617 - 1622, http://dx.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2017.10.023
Journal articles | 2017
Song Y; Geng W; Guo T; Gao Y; Zhang Y; Li S; Wang K; Tu J; Yang C; Azim A, 2017, 'The outcome of eosinophilic granuloma involving unilateral atlantoaxial joint: A case report and literature review', Medicine United States, 96, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007197
Journal articles | 2017
Tu J; Li W; Zhang Y; Wu X; Song Y; Kang L; Liu W; Wang K; Li S; Hua W; Yang C, 2017, 'Simvastatin Inhibits IL-1β-Induced Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Degradation by Suppressing the NF-kB and MAPK Pathways in Nucleus Pulposus Cells', Inflammation, 40, pp. 725 - 734, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10753-017-0516-6
Journal articles | 2017
Tu J; Li WT; Yang C, 2017, 'Rosai-Dorfman disease of the subdural spine with a long segment lesion: A case report and literature review', Journal of International Medical Research, 45, pp. 875 - 881, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0300060516687228
Journal articles | 2017
Wang K; Liu W; Song Y; Wu X; Zhang Y; Li S; Gao Y; Tu J; Liu Y; Yang C, 2017, 'The role of angiopoietin-2 in nucleus pulposus cells during human intervertebral disc degeneration', Laboratory Investigation, 97, pp. 971 - 982, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/labinvest.2017.35
Journal articles | 2017
Wang K; Song Y; Liu W; Wu X; Zhang Y; Li S; Kang L; Tu J; Zhao K; Hua W; Yang C, 2017, 'The noncoding RNA linc-ADAMTS5 cooperates with RREB1 to protect from intervertebral disc degeneration through inhibiting ADAMTS5 expression', Clinical Science, 131, pp. 965 - 979, http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/CS20160918
Journal articles | 2016
Liu W; Zhang Y; Feng X; Li S; Gao Y; Wang K; Song Y; Yang S; Tu J; Shao Z; Yang C, 2016, 'Inhibition of microRNA-34a prevents IL-1β-induced extracellular matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus by increasing GDF5 expression', Experimental Biology and Medicine, 241, pp. 1924 - 1932, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1535370216657444
Preprints | 2023
Li W; Tu J; Zheng J; Das A; Yan Q; Jiang X; Ding W; Bai X; Lai K; Yang S; Yang C; Zou J; Diwan AD; Zheng Z, 2023, Disease-associated gut microbiome and metabolome changes in chronic low back pain patients with bone marrow lesions, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.26.550629
Co-Director of Spine Biology, St. George Hospital, Sydney
Adjunct Lecturer, UNSW
Assistant Editorial Board Member, European Spine Journal
Section Editor, Journal of Spine Surgery
Fellow, AOSpine North America
Reviewer for more than 20 journals, includes Nature Communications, Spine, European Spine Journal, Global Spine Journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Molecular Therapy
