Guangping Gao named a top translational scientist by Nature Biotechnology

	Guangping Gao, PhD

Guangping Gao, PhD, has been ranked one of the world’s top translational researchers, according to a new tabulation from Nature Biotechnology. The Top 20 Translational Researchers of 2017, published this month by Nature Biotechnology, places Dr. Gao fourth.

Gao is the Penelope Booth Rockwell Professor in Biomedical Research, professor of microbiology & physiological systems, director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center and co-director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research.

The ranking was based on total patents (United States and Europe) granted in 2017; the most-cited patent for the past five years; and the H-index, a method for determining the impact of a scientist’s body of published work. According to the report, Gao had 13 patents granted in 2017. One of his most cited patents was for adeno-associated viruses (AAV) and uses thereof, and was shared with Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine; and June Xie, PhD, assistant professor of microbiology & physiological systems. Another highly cited patent was a method for detecting AAV.   

Gao has played a key role in the discovery and characterization of new AAV serotypes. The Gene Therapy Center that he directs explores the promise of AAV vectors for treating a wide range of genetic diseases. The Gao lab focuses on AAV vector mediated in vivo gene transfer for gene therapy in general, and gene therapy of inherited neurodegenerative Canavan disease in particular.