Research Work:
Graduated from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Medical University in 1993; worked in the Department of Neurology at Beijing Tiantan Hospital from 1993 to 1997; from 1997 to 2000, studied under Professor Wang Guoxiang of the Department of Neurology at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, obtaining a Master's degree in Neurology and beginning clinical diagnosis and treatment of neurogenetic diseases as well as genetic research; from 2001 to 2004, studied under Professor Shen Yan of the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In 2005, pursued further training in the Department of Neurology at the University of Tokyo Hospital in Japan, conducting research on the pathogenesis of polyglutamine diseases under Professor Shoji Tsuji.
In 2005, co-established the "Movement Disorders and Neurogenetic Diseases" specialty clinic at China-Japan Friendship Hospital with Professor Wang Guoxiang, rebuilt and managed the molecular genetics laboratory, and received over 10,000 consultations for patients with complex and rare diseases from across the country. The main disease categories managed included hereditary ataxia, Parkinson's disease/Parkinsonian syndromes, multiple system atrophy, dystonia, hereditary chorea, hereditary spastic paraplegia, and hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Based on a closed-loop model integrating clinical practice with the molecular genetics laboratory, established a clinical database and DNA bank, pioneered routine dynamic mutation testing for neurogenetic diseases in China, processed over 6,000 test samples, provided genetic counseling, significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of genetic diseases, and collaborated with domestic peers to block the transmission of pathogenic familial genes through reproductive intervention. Starting in 2008, conducted online and offline outreach (including blogs, patient QQ groups, Haodf.com online platform, WeChat public accounts, video channels, offline lectures, and free clinics) targeting patient communities with movement disorders and neurogenetic diseases such as hereditary ataxia, Parkinson's disease/dystonia, multiple system atrophy, and Huntington's disease, providing medical knowledge dissemination, healthcare navigation guidance, and psychological support. Collaborated with rehabilitation teams to deliver rehabilitation lectures and guidance, provided long-term support for the development of rare disease patient communities in China, and served as a medical advisor to the China Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) and as a medical advisor to ataxia patient organizations.
In 2015, coordinated with professional colleagues to establish the Chinese Human Phenotype Ontology (CHPO) working group, introducing the HPO to link clinical phenotypes with genetic data.
In 2018, founded the Dr. Gu Studio, integrating medicine and the humanities. To date, has organized 8 sessions of the "Dr. Gu Salon" and 21 sessions of the "Dr. Gu Dialogue," fostering cross-disciplinary connections among stakeholders in clinical practice, medical genetics, genetic technology, internet healthcare, medical informatization, drug development, and rare disease philanthropy. These efforts have promoted mutual understanding and resource integration, earning widespread acclaim among professional stakeholders and rare disease/genetic disease patient communities.
Starting in June 2021, collaborated with the Chinese Clinical Case Reports Database team of the Chinese Medical Association Publishing House to organize monthly online "Chinese Clinical Case Reports Database Rare Disease Case Conferences," covering interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, experience exchange, and discussions across neurology, pediatrics, endocrinology, medical genetics, and prenatal diagnosis. A total of 21 sessions were organized.
Awards:
In 2021, received the inaugural "Golden Snail Award" for contributions to the rare disease field.