Innate immunity is the first line of host defense against invading pathogenic microorganisms, where type I interferon (IFN) production is initiated at the early stages and subsequently induces the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in an autocrine and paracrine manner, leading to the destruction of invading pathogens. In order to replicate and survive, viruses have evolved diverse strategies to evade IFN responses. One area of research in my laboratory is to understand the molecular mechanisms of evasion of innate immunity by pathogenic microorganisms. 

Another goal of our research is to study the molecular mechanisms of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and enteroviruss D68 pathogenesis.

Key scientific issues

1) Innate detection of viral pathogenic microorganisms;

2) The mechanism of ubiquitin in the antiviral signaling pathway;

3) The molecular mechanism of the generation and regulation of type I interferon and other important cytokines by natural immune activation;

4) The mechanism of cytokine secretion after natural immune activation;