Overview
Dr. Feng Gao is Professor of Medicine at Duke University. The Gao laboratory has a long-standing interest in elucidating the origins and evolution of human and simian inmmunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV), and in studying HIV/SIV gene function and pathogenic mechanisms from the evolutionary perspective. These studies have led to new strategies to better understand HIV origins, biology, pathogenesis and drug resistance, and to design new AIDS vaccines.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor Emeritus in Medicine
·
2020 - Present
Medicine, Infectious Diseases,
Medicine
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2005 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Scholarly Works
Global and regional molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 during 1990-2024: systematic review, global survey, and analysis of prevalence.
Journal article Lancet Infect Dis · May 19, 2026 BACKGROUND: The extensive genetic diversity of HIV presents major challenges to treatment and prevention. We aimed to estimate the global and regional distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants during 1990-2024. METHODS: We conducted a systematic lite ... Full text Link to item CiteEnhancement of neutralization potency and breadth by an HIV nanoparticle vaccine containing TLR7/8 agonist 1
Journal article Chemical Engineering Journal · May 1, 2026 Induction of broad and potent immune responses by vaccines is required to prevent infection from highly variable pathogens like human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), influenza viruses (IFV) and SARS-CoV-2. The extensive genetic diversity of HIV underscores ... Full text CitePorcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus nucleocapsid protein targets RIG-I and IRF3 to evade IFN immunity.
Journal article J Virol · April 21, 2026 The neurotropic betacoronavirus porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) subverts early innate defenses to establish persistent neuronal infection. We show that PHEV activates RIG-I-MAVS signaling but hijacks this pathway to induce a delayed ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Nonhuman Primate Core Virology Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine Research and Development - Base
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2024EQAPOL - Years 2017 to 2024 - BASE
ResearchDirector · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2024Dissection of polyreactivity and neutralization activity of HIV-1 Abs (R01)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2023View All Grants
Education
Harbin Medical University (China) ·
1984
M.D.