Research

Studying one host gene is good; studying all genes is even better.

The YSO Lab has a longstanding interest in discovering cellular factors, including host dependency and restriction factors, that determine susceptibility and permissivity to virus infections. Host dependency factors are like keys that viruses hijack to penetrate cellular barriers, rewiring host cells to promote viral protein translation, genome replication, assembly, exit, and spread. In contrast, viruses must evade antiviral innate immunity to navigate obstacles during the infection process, especially by counteracting host restriction factors.

To unbiasedly uncover host factors critical for virus infection and pathogenesis, the YSO lab harnesses the powerful tools of functional genomics, such as genome-scale CRISPR editing. This approach has continuously driven the discovery of new knowledge about many emerging and re-emerging viruses. These findings shed light on the underlying molecular mechanisms of viral infections and diseases, which are crucial for innovating vaccine designs and antiviral strategies. Currently, the team's focus is centered on pathogens with pandemic potential, such as alphaviruses, coronaviruses, flaviviruses, and paramyxoviruses, all of which pose serious threats to global public health.