News

CMM investigators Zhenwei Song, PhD, and Chengwen (Chengwei) Li, MD, PhD, are developing a human‑based 3D liver model through a Triangle CERSI NAMeRS award to better predict gene‑therapy toxicity, reduce reliance on animal testing, and accelerate safer therapeutic development.

The UNC Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) invites you to join us for a full day symposium showcasing rising researchers whose work reflects the CMM mission and the rapidly expanding landscape of gene therapy and molecular medicine.

CMM-affiliated investigators Zhenwei Song and Chengwen Li are part of a newly awarded four-year, $2.9 million collaborative R01 focused on improving the safety and effectiveness of gene therapies. 

The Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) was recently featured by the UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine Newsroom for its growing role in expanding access to hands-on biomedical research and mentorship.

A new paper from Dr. Matt Hirsch’s lab shares promising results from a study in cats with MPS VI, a rare disease that causes the cornea to become cloudy and affects vision.

Zhenwei Song, Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Molecular Medicine, has been awarded a $10,000 Junior Faculty Development award funded by IBM and R.J. Reynolds Industries Inc.

This is a well-deserved honor and long overdue recognition of Jude’s contributions to the field.

The purpose of these awards is to support independent transformative pilot studies in cell and gene therapy by ASGCT members.

Dr. Matthew Hirsch, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and CMM investigator, was a featured speaker at The Scientist’s 2025 symposium, “AAV Avenues for Cell and Gene Therapy.”

In this episode, Dr. Sam Young, Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, shares his remarkable journey from Princeton football player to global leader in gene therapy.

Dr. Tierra Bobo of the Center for Molecular Medicine has been selected as a Simmons Scholar, joining a distinguished group of UNC faculty committed to advancing health equity in North Carolina.

As federal funding for medical research faces steep reductions, Triangle scientists are raising concerns about the impact on discovery and innovation.