Research Interests:

My research focuses primarily on the roles of murine endogenous retroviruses (MuERVs) in the post-burn systemic immune disorder and multiple organ failure using a murine model.

Current Research:

• Following is a synopsis of the current research activities and goals in the laboratory. Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrated the differential expression of MuERVs, which make up approximately 10% of the mouse genome, in several distant organs of mice after injury.
• The genome-wide distribution of MuERVs suggests that the injury-triggered modulation of MuERV expression may be networked to the activation of a broad range of key intracellular signaling events controlling diverse pathophysiologic processes, such as systemic immune disorder and increased susceptibility to infection.
• The genome sequence data of the human and mouse allow for the investigation of the distribution, diversity, and transcriptional potential of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) as well as their interactions with the host cellular genes.
• We hypothesize that certain ERVs respond to injury/stress signals to the host in a U3 promoter-specific manner and exert biological effects via the regulation of their own and neighboring cellular genes at integration sites.
• Understanding of the effects and underlying mechanisms of injury/stress-mediated modulation of MuERVs as well as their neighboring genes will broaden insights into the relevant pathogenesis.

Noteworthy Publications: