Notice2026-04984
Findings of Research Misconduct
Primary source
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Published
March 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services Department
Abstract
Findings of research misconduct have been made against Chen- Yeh "George" Ke, Ph.D. (Respondent), former postdoctoral fellow, Department of Cell, Development and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Ke engaged in research misconduct under 42 CFR part 93 in research included in one (1) draft manuscript and two (2) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Performance Progress Reports, specifically R01 DE022363-07 and R01 DE022363-08 submitted to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH. The questioned research was supported by U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) funds, specifically NIDCR, NIH, grant R01 DE022363-06A1. Administrative actions, including supervision for a period of three (3) years, were implemented and are detailed below.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 49 (Friday, March 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12433-12435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04984]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Findings of Research Misconduct
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Findings of research misconduct have been made against Chen-
Yeh ``George'' Ke, Ph.D. (Respondent), former postdoctoral fellow,
Department of Cell, Development and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Ke engaged in research misconduct under
42 CFR part 93 in research included in one (1) draft manuscript and two
(2) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Performance Progress
Reports, specifically R01 DE022363-07 and R01 DE022363-08 submitted to
the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR),
NIH. The questioned research was supported by U.S. Public Health
Service (PHS) funds, specifically NIDCR, NIH, grant R01 DE022363-06A1.
Administrative actions, including supervision for a period of three (3)
years, were implemented and are detailed below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila R. Garrity, JD, MPH, MBA,
Director, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite
240, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453-8200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that the Office of
Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case:
Chen-Yeh ``George'' Ke, Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai (ISMMS): Based on evidence and findings of an investigation
conducted by ISMMS, ORI's oversight review of ISMMS' investigation, and
additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found
that Chen-Yeh ``George'' Ke, Ph.D. (Respondent), former postdoctoral
fellow, Department of Cell, Development and Regenerative Biology,
ISMMS, engaged in research misconduct under 42 CFR part 93 in research
included in one (1) draft manuscript and two (2) NIH Research
Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), specifically R01 DE022363-07 and
R01 DE022363-08 submitted to NIDCR, NIH. The questioned research was
supported by PHS funds, specifically NIDCR, NIH, grant R01 DE022363-
06A1.
ORI found by a preponderance of the evidence that Respondent
intentionally and knowingly falsified and/or fabricated western blot
images, intentionally and knowingly falsified and/or fabricated
microscopy images of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal (MEPM) cells
stained with alkaline phosphatase (AP) for cell differentiation studies
to falsely represent different experiments, and intentionally and
knowingly falsified and/or fabricated calcium cellular imaging of MEPM
cells in one PHS-supported unpublished manuscript. Respondent's
falsification and/or fabrication of experiment results also were
reported in two RPPRs. The affected manuscript and RPPRs are:
<bullet> Transient activation of ERK promotes cell differentiation
through non-canonical Wnt Signaling. Not submitted for publication
(hereafter referred to as ``Manuscript 2022'').
<bullet> R01 DE022363-07 (hereafter referred to as ``RPPR 2019'').
<bullet> R01 DE022363-08 (hereafter referred to as ``RPPR 2020'').
Specifically, ORI found by a preponderance of the evidence that
Respondent engaged in research misconduct by intentionally and
knowingly falsifying and/or fabricating:
<bullet> western blot data by reusing blot band images after
manipulating, splicing together, and falsely relabeling them to
represent different experiments in Figure 1B in Manuscript 2022 and
reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these
falsified data. The specific manipulations in Manuscript 2022 are as
follows:
--The FGF +BIM-1 0 minute (min) timepoint for p-ERK shows evidence that
it was cut and pasted.
--The noise pattern in FGF +BIM-1 0 min is identical to the FGF 0 min
timepoint in the same panel.
--The 0, 60, and 120 minute FGF lanes have been duplicated to the PDGF
treatment in the +PMA 0, 60, and 120 minute treatment lanes after
horizontal flipping.
--The 60 min FGF lane has been duplicated in the top row as 15 min FGF
+BIM-1 lane.
--The four lanes denoting the 0, 15, 60, and 120 min following FGF
+PD0325901 treatment are all one image that has been duplicated and
shifted vertically.
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row one, column one of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Vector/Control'' treatment; specifically, the panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the Vector/Control
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the PX459 Vector/Control panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated to represent the Control/YAP-KO panel of Figure 5E
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
[[Page 12434]]
these falsified data. The image panel in row one, column two of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Vector/FGF'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the Vector/FGF panel
of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the PX459 Vector/FGF panel of Figure 5A
--reused but rotated 90 degrees clockwise the TAZ-KO/FGF panel of
Figure 5C
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions five times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row one, column three of
Figure 3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells
under ``Vector/FGF+BIM-1'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the Vector/FGF+BIM-1
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the PX459 vector/FGF+BIM-1 panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis to represent the PX459
vector/FGF-8+BIM-1 panel of Figure 5C
--duplicated to represent the PDGF/Vector panel of Figure 5E
<bullet> microscopy data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row one, column four of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Vector/PDGF'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the Vector/PDGF panel
of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the PX459 vector/PDGF panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis to represent the PX459
vector/PDGF panel of Figure 5C
<bullet> microscopy data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in grant progress reports RPPR 2019
and RPPR 2020 based on these falsified data. The image panel in row
one, column five of Figure 3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the
results of MEPM cells under ``Vector/PDGF+PMA'' treatment;
specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the Vector/PDGF+PMA
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the PX459 vector/PDGF+PMA panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated, significantly lightened, and flipped on its vertical axis
to represent the TAZ-KO/PDGF panel of Figure 5C
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row two, column one of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Ror2-KO/Control'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis in the Ror1-KO/Control
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the YAP-KO/Control panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated to represent the Control/TAZ-KO panel of Figure 5E
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions four times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row two, column two of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Ror2-KO/FGF'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis in the Ror1-KO/FGF
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the YAP-KO/FGF panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated to represent the TAZ-KO/Control panel of Figure 5C
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript 2022 and
reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these
falsified data. The image panel in row two, column four of Figure 3C in
Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under ``Ror2-
KO/PDGF'' treatment; specifically, this panel is duplicated and flipped
on its horizontal axis in the PX459 vector/FGF panel of Figure 5C.
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions seven times in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript
2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on
these falsified data. The image panel in row two, column five of Figure
3C in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under
``Ror2-KO/PDGF+PMA'' treatment; specifically, this panel is:
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis in the Ror1-KO/PDGF+PMA
panel of Figure 3D
--duplicated to represent the YAP-KO/PDGF+PMA panel of Figure 5A
--duplicated to represent the PX459 Vector/Control panel of Figure 5C
--duplicated and flipped on its horizontal axis in the PX459 Vector/
PDGF+PMA panel of Figure 5C
--duplicated and flipped on both its vertical and its horizontal axes
in the Control/YAP/TAZ-d-KO panel of Figure 5E
--duplicated (is it also rotated or flipped) and a tonality curve has
been applied to emphasize certain regions of the panel in the PDGF/YAP-
KO panel of Figure 5E
<bullet> microscopy data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions in Figure 5 in Manuscript 2022 and reporting
false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these falsified
data. The image panel in row one, column one of Figure 5E in Manuscript
2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under ``Control/Vector''
treatment; specifically, this panel is duplicated and flipped on its
horizontal axis and lightened in the PDGF/TAZ-KO panel of Figure 5E.
<bullet> microscopy data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single
[[Page 12435]]
image of AP-stained MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under
different experimental conditions three times in Figures 3 and 5 in
Manuscript 2022 and reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR
2020 based on these falsified data. The image panel in row two, column
three of Figure 3D in Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM
cells under ``Ror1-KO/FGF+BIM-1'' treatment; specifically, this panel
is:
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical axis in the YAP-KO/PDGF panel
of Figure 5A
--duplicated and flipped on its vertical and horizontal axis in the
TAZ-KO/FGF+BIM-1 panel of Figure 5C
<bullet> microscopy data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions in Figures 3 and 5 in Manuscript 2022 and
reporting false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these
falsified data. The image panel in row two, column four of Figure 3D in
Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under ``Ror1-
KO/PDGF'' treatment; specifically, this panel is duplicated, flipped on
its horizontal axis, and added or removed cell images in the YAP-KO/
FGF+BIM-1 panel of Figure 5A.
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of AP-stained
MEPM cells to falsely represent AP staining under different
experimental conditions in Figure 5 in Manuscript 2022 and reporting
false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these falsified
data. The image panel in row two, column five of Figure 5C in
Manuscript 2022 reports to be the results of MEPM cells under ``TAZ-KO/
PDGF+PMA'' treatment; specifically, this panel is duplicated and
flipped on its horizontal axis in the PDGF/YAP/TAZ-dKO panel of Figure
5E.
<bullet> microscopic image data for cell differentiation studies by
duplicating, manipulating, and relabeling a single image of calcium
imaging in MEPM cells to falsely represent results under different
experimental conditions in Figure S9A in Manuscript 2022 and reporting
false statements in RPPR 2019 and RPPR 2020 based on these falsified
data. Specifically, the FGF-8+BIM-1 panel and the PDGF panels in Figure
S9A are the same image that have been duplicated and flipped on their
horizontal axis with their brightness also altered.
On January 6, 2026, based on the information in the administrative
record, ORI proposed a three-year period of supervision under 42 CFR
Sec. 93.407(a)(7) and a three-year period of prohibition from PHS
advisory service under 42 CFR 93.407(a)(9). HHS provided Respondent
with the opportunity to contest the proposed administrative actions
under 42 CFR part 93 by requesting a hearing before an administrative
law judge with the HHS Departmental Appeals Board. Respondent did not
contest within the prescribed 30-day notice period. Accordingly, the
following administrative actions have been implemented:
<bullet> Respondent will have his PHS-supported research activities
supervised for a period of three (3) years beginning on February 6,
2026 (the ``Supervision Period''). During the Supervision Period, prior
to his participation in any capacity in PHS-supported research
activities, he must submit a plan for supervision of his duties to ORI
for approval. Respondent may only participate in PHS-supported research
activities if a supervision plan is approved by ORI and he complies
with the approved plan. The requirements for Respondent's supervision
plan are as follows:
--Committee oversight. The supervision plan must designate a committee
of at least two senior researchers at the institution employing
Respondent who are familiar with his field of research and are not his
supervisor or collaborators to oversee his PHS-supported research
activities during the Supervision Period.
[ssquf] Review of primary data. The supervision plan must provide
for the committee to review primary data generated by or for Respondent
through PHS-supported research activities on a quarterly basis.
[ssquf] Advance reviews. The supervision plan must provide for the
committee to conduct advance reviews of any reporting of PHS-supported
research activities in which Respondent is or was involved, including
reporting in manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, or applications
or proposals for PHS funding, to ensure his contributions are supported
by the primary data. The advance reviews must include discussion with
Respondent.
--Reporting to ORI. The supervision plan must include a requirement for
the committee to submit a report to ORI at 6-month intervals. The
report must identify any primary data reviewed, the date of review, and
the results of the review. The report also must summarize any advance
reviews conducted by the committee. Additionally, the report must
verify that Respondent is complying with accepted research practices.
<bullet> During the Supervision Period, Respondent must ensure that
any institution employing him submits, in conjunction with each
application for PHS funds, or each report, manuscript, or abstract
involving PHS-supported research activities in which Respondent was
involved, a certification to ORI and the funding agency that the data
provided by Respondent are based on actual experiments and legitimately
derived, and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately
reported.
<bullet> If Respondent does not have a supervision plan approved by
ORI during the Supervision Period, Respondent must submit a written
statement to ORI at the conclusion of the Supervision Period certifying
that he has not participated in PHS-supported research activities
during the Supervision Period.
<bullet> Respondent is prohibited from serving in any advisory
capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS
advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a
consultant for a period of three (3) years, beginning on February 6,
2026.
Dated: March 11, 2026.
Sheila R. Garrity,
Director, Office of Research Integrity, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Health.
[FR Doc. 2026-04984 Filed 3-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-31-P
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