Rewiring Inflammation
How Dr Kaiwen Chen is changing the way we understand cell death and immunity
Dr Kaiwen Chen’s career has been dedicated to understanding how cells die, communicate, and drive inflammation—and using those discoveries to develop new therapies.
Kaiwen first arrived at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) as an international PhD student in 2011, drawn to Brisbane by its vibrant research environment and IMB’s focus on translational science. Under the supervision of Professor Kate Schroder in the Inflammasome Lab, he explored the host side of infection and immunity, earning multiple honours during his Bachelor of Science and PhD.
While at IMB, Kaiwen characterised how neutrophils, a specialised type of immune cell, detect bacterial infections and make critical decisions to survive or undergo cell death, contributing to a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
After completing his PhD and two years as a postdoctoral researcher, Kaiwen moved to Switzerland to join Professor Petr Broz’s lab at the University of Lausanne, supported by two prestigious fellowships. There, he made a breakthrough discovery: Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) is the key driver of inflammation triggered during infection and inflammatory disease and pharmacological-induced cell death, such as chemotherapy.
The implications of this discovery are significant. Researchers are now exploring ways to inhibit GSDMD as a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases. While the challenge continues, Kaiwen’s work is shaping the path toward therapies that could benefit patients worldwide.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Kaiwen’s leadership and collaborative spirit became clear during his time in Lausanne. He created protocols to support diverse functions, trained colleagues in best practices, and mentored postgraduate students—not just in lab skills, but in critical thinking, data analysis, and preparing results for publication.
“My time in Kate’s lab at IMB left a lasting impact on my scientific journey. Kate’s mentorship extended far beyond the lab—she continues to offer invaluable career advice and introduce me to her professional network. The community she fostered brought together a group of dedicated like-minded scientists who have become lifelong friends. The skills, values, and relationships I developed at IMB continue to guide me in my career today.”
Kaiwen’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of scientists has made him a sought-after supervisor and mentor. His approach combines rigorous science with a commitment to collaborative problem-solving, reflecting the lessons he learned early in his career at IMB.
Today, Kaiwen leads his own lab at the Life Sciences Institute at the National University of Singapore as Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor. His group investigates the mechanisms of cell death and innate immune signalling, working to rewire cellular pathways and develop therapies for infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders.
"What excites me most is discovering something new and seeing how it can translate into real impact for patients," he says. “Science is about curiosity, but it’s also about making a difference—and that has guided every step of my journey.”