Roles
Research Associate Professor (Pending Rank)
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Biography
NAME: ZHENG-YU WANG
POSITION TITLE: Research Associate Professor of Surgery
EDUCATION/TRAINING
M.D., 07/1988, Clinical Medicine,
North China University of Science and Technology, College of Clinical Medicine, China
Ph.D., 03/2002, Medical Science,
Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Postdoctoral, 06/2010, Molecular and cellular immunology; Cancer immunology; Xenotransplantation; Xenoimmunology
Indiana University, School of Medicine, USA
Personal Statement
My long-term goal of xenotransplantation research is to develop genetically modified pigs that are suitable for use in humans. The strategies to prevent xenograft rejection need to identify the targets of human antibodies on pig organs. I have a broad background in both clinical and research experience with specific training and expertise in studies for immune disorders. As a postdoctoral candidate at Kobe University, I studied the mechanisms by the drugs were used in treatment of autoimmune diseases and the mechanisms of tissue damage in autoimmune diseases. As a postdoctoral fellow in the department of Immunology or Toxicity, my projects focused on the study of molecular and cellular immunology, and tumor immunology. Currently, my research focuses on identifying human antibody-mediated target antigens on pig organs. I have created many cell lines including immortal pig aortic, renal, and liver endothelial cells. I have evaluated the expression of swine leukocyte antigens on these cells. In summary, my experience and expertise in the field of immunology and xenoimmunology have prepared me to succeed in the current project about xenotransplantation research.
Positions and HonorsPositions and Employment
2010-2016 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
2016-2020 Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine, AL
2020-present Research Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Other Experience and Professional Memberships
2011-present Full Member, American Society of Transplantation
2015-present Full Member, The Transplantation Society
2017-present Full Member, International Xenotransplantation Association
2016 Certified Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM (the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification, ASCP)
2016 Editorial Board of Austin Transplantation Sciences
2017 Editorial Board of Surgery: Open Access Journal (SOAJ)
Honors
2010 Postdoctoral Travel Award, Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology
2010 Postdoctoral Award (Second place), Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cooper+DKC+%2C+Wang+ZY
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tector%20AJ%20%2C%20Wang%20ZY
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Wang+ZY%2C+Dent+A%2C
Additional Information: Current Funded Research
5U19AI142737-02 (Lund, PD/PI), 04/01/2019 – 03/31/2024
NIH/NIAID: $1,284,775 Total Project Direct Costs ($12M Total Direct Costs)
Wang’s Role: Co-Investigator, 4.8 Calendar Months
Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA)-Miami (AJ Tector, PI), 07/15/2021 – 07/14/2023
Makana Therapeutics, INC: total $2,073,077.00
Wang’s Role: Co-Investigator -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
Licensures and Certifications
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Honors & Awards
No result found
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Teaching Interests
Mentoring students, postdoctoral fellows, and residents in research laboratory -
Research Interests
Xenotransplantation using genetically-engineered pigs has become a promising alternative approach to solve the shortage of human donor organs for transplantation. Antibody-mediated rejection has been a limiting factor in moving xenotransplantation towards a the clinical therapy. Over the past 12 years, my studies of xenotransplantation research have focused on the followings:
Discovering non-Gal xenoantigens in pigs
I detected preformed antibody targets in pig liver cells lacking aGal (GGTA1 KO) using advanced proteomic techniques and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry, and validated by confocal microscopy, immunoblot, and immunoprecipitation.
Establishing pig organ-specific cell models using Lenti-SV40 T Lentivirus
The immortalized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were used to study in vitro xenotransplantation-induced thrombocytopenia, which is a major barrier to porcine liver xenotransplantation; while the immortalized renal microvascular endothelial cells were used to evaluate xenoantigenicity following gene-editing using CRISPR-cas9 technology, e.g., GGTA1/CMAH/B4GNT2 triple knockout.
Generating cell lines expressing class I SLA or class II SLA
Our goals are to create recombinant soluble SLA class I and class II proteins, produce a diagnostic bead array, and develop novel tools that build on similar approaches (crossmatch) that have been successful in the setting of allotransplantation.
I believe xenotransplantation's clinical application will have an immense impact on the treatment of the many patients who are waiting to receive an organ donation. -
Publications
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