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Liuyang Wang

Associate Research Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
0049 CARL, Box 3053, Durham, NC 27710
0049 CARL Box 3053 DUMC, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My overall research goals are centered on unraveling the molecular mechanism underpinning human disease susceptibility and harnessing these findings to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. I have adopted a multidisciplinary approach that integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and computational biology. Leveraging high-throughput cellular screening and genome-wide association study (GWAS), we have successfully identified hundreds of genomic loci associated with 8 different pathogens (Wang et al. 2018). Utilizing single-cell RNA-seq, we developed scHi-HOST to rapidly identify host genes associated with the influenza virus (Schott and Wang, et al. 2022). I also have developed several novel statistical tools, CPAG and iCPAGdb, that estimate genetic associations among human diseases and traits (Wang et al. 2015, 2021). Combining experimental and computational approaches, I expect to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic architecture of human susceptibility to infection and inflammatory disorders.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Research Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology · 2024 - Present Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments

Recent Publications


Immunomodulation of T cell-mediated alloimmunity by proximity to endothelial cells under the mammalian target of rapamycin blockade.

Journal Article Am J Transplant · February 2025 Endothelial cells (ECs) are an initial barrier between vascularized organ allografts and the host immune system and are thus well positioned to initiate and influence alloimmune rejection. The mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin is known to i ... Full text Link to item Cite

Context-specific eQTLs provide deeper insight into causal genes underlying shared genetic architecture of COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Journal Article HGG Adv · January 27, 2025 Most genetic variants identified through genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are suspected to be regulatory in nature, but only a small fraction colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs, variants associated with expression of a gene). ... Full text Link to item Cite

The senescence-associated secretome of Hedgehog-deficient hepatocytes drives MASLD progression.

Journal Article J Clin Invest · August 27, 2024 The burden of senescent hepatocytes correlates with the severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the mechanisms driving senescence and how it exacerbates MASLD are poorly understood. Hepatocytes experience lipotoxic ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Genetic Contributors to the Impact of Sex on Heterogeneity in Flu Infection

ResearchAssistant Research Professor · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2027

Promoting T cell recovery after radiation injury with long-acting interleukin 7

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

Linking human TB genetic susceptibility loci to granuloma biology

ResearchAssistant Research Professor · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (China) · 2009 Ph.D.