Publications
Top publications
Dr. V. Wee Yong Biography
Dr. V. Wee Yong is a Professor at the University of Calgary, Canada, and the Canada Research Chair in Neuroimmunology. He co-directs the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Brain and Mental Health team of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, providing the basic science leadership, and he directs the provincial Alberta MS Network. Dr. Yong’s research interests lie in the area of neuroimmunology, neuroprotection and CNS regeneration, and his projects are guided by MS and brain tumors. Dr. Yong has published 320 peer-reviewed manuscripts and his research has been translated into Phase III clinical trials in MS and spinal cord injury. His work has been cited over 22,000 times by other authors (web of science; h-index of 85). Dr. Yong is a past chair of the Medical Advisory Committee of the MS Society of Canada; this and other volunteer activities resulted in him receiving the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Year Medallion. Dr. Yong is on the editorial board of 7 international journals; he is the Honorary Editor-in-Chief of the journal Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation. He has been the President of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (2014-2016). Dr. Yong is an elected fellow of both the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada, which represent top honors for those working in the medical and academic sciences. Dr. Yong is the 2017 Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine winner.
My research has been translated into clinical trials in MS, spinal cord injury, and glioblastoma. Collectively, my studies of neuroimmunology are aimed at understanding, controlling and tipping the balance of neuroinflammation towards one of neuroprotection and regeneration from CNS insults.
Dr. V. Wee Yong
Oxidized phosphatidylcholines found in multiple sclerosis lesions mediate neurodegeneration and are neutralized by microglia
Dong, Y., D'Mello, C., Pinsky, W., Lozinski, BM., Kaushik, DK., Ghorbani, S., Moezzi, D., Brown, D., Melo, FC., Zandee, S., Vo, T., Prat, A., Whitehead, SN., Yong, V.W. Oxidized phosphatidylcholines found in multiple sclerosis lesions mediate neurodegeneration and are neutralized by microglia. Nat Neurosci, 2021
Niacin-mediated rejuvenation of macrophage/microglia enhances remyelination of the aging central nervous system
Rawji KS, Young A, Ghosh T, Michaels NJ, Mirzaei R, Mishra MK, Kappen J, Kohlemainen K, Pu A, Tang W, Zein S, Kaushik DK, Keough MB, Plemel J, Calvert F, Knights A, Gaffney D, Tetzlaff W, Franklin RJM, Yong VW, Niacin-mediated rejuvenation of macrophage/microglia enhances remyelination of the aging central nervous system, Acta Neuropathol 139:893-909, 2020
Control of brain tumor growth by reactivating myeloid cells with niacin
Sarkar S, Yang R, Mirzaei R, Rawji K, Poon C, Mishra MK, Zemp FJ, Bose P, Kelly J, Dunn JF, Yong VW, Control of brain tumor growth by reactivating myeloid cells with niacin, Science Translational Med 12(537). pii: eaay9924, 2020
Enhanced glycolytic metabolism supports transmigration of brain-infiltrating macrophages in multiple sclerosis model
Kaushik DK, Bhattacharya A, Rawji KS, Mirzaei R, Ann Y, Rho JM, Yong VW, Enhanced glycolytic metabolism supports transmigration of brain-infiltrating macrophages in multiple sclerosis model, J Clin Investigation 129:3277-3292, 2019
Remyelination therapies: a new direction and challenge in multiple sclerosis
Plemel JR, Liu WQ, Yong VW, Remyelination therapies: a new direction and challenge in multiple sclerosis, Nature Rev Drug Discovery 16:617-634, 2017
Systematic screening of generic drugs for progressive multiple sclerosis: Clomipramine as a promising therapeutic
Faissner S, Mishra M, Wang J, Fan Y, Silva C, Rauw G, Metz L, Koch M, Yong VW, Systematic screening of generic drugs for progressive multiple sclerosis: Clomipramine as a promising therapeutic, Nature Communications 8:1990, 2017
Trial of minocycline in clinically isolated syndrome of multiple sclerosis
Metz LM, Li DKB, Traboulsee AL, Duquette P, Eliasziw M, Cerchiaro G, Greenfield J, Riddehough A, Yeung M, Kremenchutzky M, Vorobeychik G, Freedman MS, Bhan V, Blevins G, Marriott JJ, Grand'Maison F, Lee L, Thibault M, Hill MD, Yong VW for the Minocycline in MS Study Team, Trial of minocycline in clinically isolated syndrome of multiple sclerosis, New Engl J Med 376:2122-2133, 2017
An inhibitor of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis promotes central nervous system remyelination
Keough MB, Rogers JA, Zhang P, Jensen SK, Robertson E, Chen T, Hurlbert MG, Lau LW, Rawji KS, Plemel JR, Koch M, Ling CC, Yong VW, An inhibitor of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis promotes central nervous system remyelination, Nature Communications 7:11312, 2016
Therapeutic activation of macrophages/microglia to suppress brain tumor-initiating cells
Sarkar S, Doring A, Zemp F, Silva C, Lun X, Wang X, Kelly J, Hader W, Hamilton M, Mercier P, Dunn JF, Kinniburgh D, van Rooijen N, Robbins S, Forsyth P, Cairncross G, Weiss S, Yong VW, Therapeutic activation of macrophages/microglia to suppress brain tumor-initiating cells, Nature Neurosci 17:46-55, 2014
Mediators of pathology and regeneration in the CNS
Yong VW, Metalloproteinases: Mediators of pathology and regeneration in the CNS, Nature Reviews Neurosci 6:931-944, 2005
Awards
Telemachus Distinguished Mentorship Award
2020
Recipient, Killam Research Award
Single top researcher at the University of Calgary, 2019
Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award
2018
Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine
2017
Canadians for Health Research
Researcher of the Month, 2017
Smith Distinguished Award for Senior Faculty
Single faculty member for overall excellence from 2013 to 2015
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
This is considered one of the highest honors for members of the Canadian research community, 2014
Killam Annual Professorship
July 2012 – June 2013
Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
This is considered one of the highest honors for members of the Canadian Health Sciences community, 2010
“U make a difference”
2009
“Compelling Calgarian”
Dr. Yong is one of 20 Calgarians honored by the Calgary Herald (main Calgary newspaper in a city of 1.1 million) on New Year’s Day for various successes, 2008
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 2007 National Certificate of Merit.
This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis", 2007
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
2005 - 2009
Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Year Medallion
Multiple Sclerosis volunteer activities, 2002
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 2000 National Certificate of Merit
This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis”, 2000
Cochrane Distinguished Achievement Award for excellence in research
2000
Contact Dr. V. Wee Yong
Office Address
Hotchkiss Brain Institute and
Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology
University of Calgary
187 - 3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1
Telephone
403‑220‑3544
Fax
403‑210‑8840
E‑mail
vyong@ucalgary.ca