Dr Anan Chen, PhD

Being a scientist is not only about advancing the science, but also about being a supportive, compassionate and merciful mentor for students and trainees. My research explores the molecular mechanisms of viral replication organelles, integrating cell biology, virology and biochemistry. We develop new molecular probes, cell-based and biochemical assays, and combined them with high-resolution imaging and structural approaches to study viral replication biology. I completed my postdoctoral training with Tim Mitchison and Adrian Salic at Harvard Medical School (2021-2024), investigating the functions and structures of coronavirus double-membrane vesicles. My PhD and MSc research with Andrew Wilde at University of Toronto (2012-2021) focused on the mechanistic biology of cell division, actin cytoskeleton dynamics and membrane remodeling. I earned my undergraduate degree at Peking University (2008-2012). My goal is to establish a thriving research program that pushes the boundaries of our knowledge while empowering the next generation of scientists.

Viral replication organelles

We identify the molecular mechanisms of RNA virus replication organelles, using a combination of biochemical and cell-based assays, high-resolution imaging and structural analysis. 

CHEM 375 (2026)
CHEM 498 (2026)

Chen, A., Lupan, A., Quek, R. T., Stanciu, S. G., Asaftei, M., Stanciu, G. A., Hardy, K. S., De Almeida Magalhães, T., Silver, P. A., Mitchison, T. J., & Salic, A. (2024). A coronaviral pore-replicase complex links RNA synthesis and export from double-membrane vesicles. Science Advances, 10(45). 

Panagiotou, T. C., Chen, A., & Wilde, A. (2022). An anillin-CIN85-SEPT9 complex promotes intercellular bridge maturation required for successful cytokinesis. Cell Reports, 40(9), 111274. 

Chen, A., Severino, L. U., Panagiotou, T. C., Moraes, T. F., Yuen, D. A., Lavoie, B. D., & Wilde, A. (2021). Inhibition of polar actin assembly by astral microtubules is required for cytokinesis. Nature Communications, 12(1). 

Chen, A., Arora, P. D., Lai, C. C., Copeland, J. W., Moraes, T. F., McCulloch, C. A., Lavoie, B. D., & Wilde, A. (2020). The scaffold-protein IQGAP1 enhances and spatially restricts the actin-nucleating activity of Diaphanous-related formin 1 (DIAPH1). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 295(10), 3134–3147. 

Chen, A., Arora, P. D., McCulloch, C. A., & Wilde, A. (2017). Cytokinesis requires localized β-actin filament production by an actin isoform specific nucleator. Nature Communications, 8(1). 

Chen, A., Akhshi, T. K., Lavoie, B. D., & Wilde, A. (2015). Importin β2 Mediates the Spatio-temporal Regulation of Anillin through a Noncanonical Nuclear Localization Signal. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(21), 13500–13509.