Yuxing Li, PhD

A full list of Dr. Li's published work can be accessed by clicking here.

The long-term research interests of my lab include B cell response to viral infection, HIV-1 vaccine development and HIV pathogenesis and anti-viral therapy. Current, research efforts focus on investigating the development of B cell response targeting HIV envelope glycoproteins (Env) and searching for novel immunogen and immunization regimens to better elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. Such studies aim to develop a better understanding of the mechanism underlying protective immunity and contribute to the development of a broadly effective HIV-1 vaccine. Rational design of Env immunogens and immunization regimens based on the B cell response analysis are actively progressing in my lab. Research on the reconstitution of immunity after anti-viral therapy and novel anti-viral approach development is also ongoing.

Therapeutic antibodies for Ebola virus infection had protection breadth limited to Zaire Ebola strain, but not effective for other pathogenic strains such as Sudan and Bundibugyo.   Recently, we successfully isolated broadly neutralizing antibodies from Ebola virus experiment vaccine immunized non-human primate animal and developed a pan-Ebolavirus therapeutic antibody cocktail for pre-clinical trial in non-human primate model. Future work will focus on delineating B cell response to the filovirus glycoproteins to inform vaccine design aimed to elicit broadly protective antibody response.

R01 AI126587                                                              

04/01/2017-03/31/2022

NIH/NIAID

Evolution of anti-filovirus B cell responses and mechanisms of protection

In this proposal, we seek to study the response of monkeys and humans to filovirus vaccines to determine the features of a vaccine response that would protect against all filoviruses. The proposed study is also likely to generate novel immunotherapeutic antibodies for treatment of filovirus infections.

MPI: Aman/ Li. Role: MPI; 25% effort

P01AI104722                                                                  

04/01/2014-03/31/2019

NIH/NIAID

High resolution analysis of Env-directed B cells to accelerate vaccine design

This grant is designed to isolate and characterize novel HIV vaccine elicited Env-specific antibodies.

PD: Richard Wyatt. Role: Project PI; 20% effort       

R01 AI102766                                                                

01/01/2013-12/31/2018 (no cost extension)

NIH/NIAID                                                         

High-resolution definition of B cell responses to HIV Env for Immunogen design

This grant is designed to analyze antibodies that induce recognition by known broadly neutralizing antibodies such as the CD4 binding site antibody, VRC01, and to then use these inducing antibodies as immune complex with HIV envelope glycoproteins to elicit neutralizing antibodies in small animal models.

PI: Yuxing Li. Role: PI; 25% effort

2017-MII-3992                                                               

09/08/2017-05/09/2018

Maryland Innovation Initiative

Next Generation Multi-Specific Antibody Therapeutic

This grant aims to develop multi-specific antibodies that combines the antigen binding regions from multiple HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies to achieve profoundly improved virus neutralization capacities.

PI: Yuxing Li. Role: PI; 10% effort

NIH, Clinical Research and Field Studies of Infectious Diseases (CRFS) Study Section (2017)

NIH, AIDS-Associated Opportunistic Infections and Cancer (AOIC) study section (2017)

NIH, Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1 IMM-T (02)) (2017)

AIDS Fond Reviewer, The Netherland (2015)

Reviewer for Journal of Clinical Investigation, Journal of Virology, Retrovirology, PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Nature Communications

American Association of Immunologists, member

American Society for Virology, member

Dr. Li's profile at IBBR:

https://www.ibbr.umd.edu/profiles/yuxing-li