University of Georgia

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YAO LAB @ UGA

Gene Regulation & Editing in Development and Diseases

Welcome to the Yao laboratory at the University of Georgia! We are part of the Regenerative Bioscience Center in the Department of Animal & Dairy Science. We are also affiliated with the Developmental Biology Alliance and the Neuroscience Program.

We are a gene regulation and editing lab, focusing on enhancer mediated genetic and epigenetic regulation of gene expression in development and diseases for molecular targets that can be harnessed to improve human health and agronomic traits! Our research employs human pluripotent stem cells and animals as model system, integrates methodologies from molecular biotechnology, Genetic, Epigenetics together with improved genome editing toolkit for strategies to treat neuromuscular disorders and advance meat science.

Enhancer Mediated Transcription Regulation
Enhancers, one type of non-coding DNA regulatory elements facilitating proper spatiotemporal gene expression, are fundamental to our understanding of development and disease. Majority of genetic variants associated with disease or agronomic traits, reside in/cover enhancers. We are using high throughput genomic tools combing with mouse genetics to identify and elucidate enhancer mediated gene regulation during muscle progenitor cell differentiation and iPSC-derived neural cell types. The outcomes will equip us to develop efficient gene therapies for genetic diseases and strategies for agronomic improvements.

Delivery of Genome Editing

Delivery of genome editing tools in vivo in a safe and efficient way is perhaps one of the biggest barrier to fulfill its potential in biomedical and agriculture fields. We are developing novel delivery shuttle, such as genetically engineered exosome, for CRISPR mediated genome editing to facilitate its application in gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and muscle disorders.

Gene Therapy

With the accumulated knowledge of genetic basis of diseases and recent innovations in genome editing tools, especially the CRISPR-Cas9 system, gene therapy is becoming an attractive treatment for devastating genetic diseases, including neuromuscular diseases (ALS). We are establishing iPSC and mouse model of ALS and other muscle disorders to screen for therapeutic targets and validate CRISPR mediated gene therapies. (genengnews.com)

Interested?   Join Us!

The Yao lab is actively seeking graduate/undergraduate students, technician and postdoctoral fellows. Contact us if you are interested in joining.