Catheryn Wooi Lim

Meet Catheryn Wooi Lim, a senior postdoctoral researcher in the Wood group. Catheryn obtained her PhD at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and researches the mechanism of gene regulation and how dysregulation of gene expression leads to diseases.

Can you give a brief overview of your career trajectory so far?

I did my undergraduate and doctoral studies in Sydney, Australia. In between, I worked at a biotech spinoff from the UCSF as one of the founding employees. I joined Matthew’s group in 2017 and am currently a senior postdoc managing projects and people within Matthew’s group as well as developing my own research projects and team.

What is your research focus?

In general, my research focuses on understanding the mechanism of gene regulation and how dysregulation of gene expression leads to diseases, with the ultimate goal of using this information to develop genetic therapies for diseases, in particular neuromuscular diseases. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the dynamics of transcription factor activity and gene isoforms, and epigenetic regulation such as changes in the 3D chromosomal landscape in health and diseases using various advanced sequencing and genomic tools.

What has been your highlight this past year?

Last year I was awarded a non-clinical fellowship from the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) to develop a new antisense oligonucleotide therapeutic strategy for a genetically inherited neuromuscular disease, Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Together with Matthew and Carlo, we founded a new company to develop isoform-based therapies for genetic diseases.

What do you look forward to most this year?

To be involved in the birth and growth of the new company and more opportunities to work with charities such as MNDA, KDA and MDUK.

What do you do outside of the lab?

I enjoy travelling to places and countries with rich and unique culture and history and of course, places with good food. During the COVID pandemic, when we were all locked indoor most of the year, I started playing weekly boardgames with my ‘social bubble’, and now it has become my favourite pastime. I also enjoy solving puzzles, therefore escape room is also my thing!