Faculty

Yingzi Cong, PhD

Associate Professor
yicong@utmb.edu
MRB, Route 1019
Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology
Phone: (409)772-4902
Fax: (409)772-5065

Education:	Visiting PhD Student | 1988-1990 | Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
	PhD | 1990 | Shandong University, P.R. China
	MSc | 1985 | Shandong University, P.R. China
	BSc | 1982 | Shandong University, P.R. China

Overview

 

Research Interests

Dr. Yingzi Cong’s basic research program is based on the analysis of unique murine models of inflammatory bowel disease using a battery of reagents that have been developed recently. Our hypothesis is that IBD is mediated by a restricted set of pathogenic CD4+T cells responding to microbiota, the antigens to which the host is normally tolerant. Innate cells and TLR ligands play a critical role in activation and expansion of pathogenic T cells. microRNAs regulate host response to enteric bacterial antigens and pathogenesis of IBD. A number of research projects are underway in my laboratory and these NIH-funded studies involve a number of significant collaborations both at UTMB as well as with other Universities and Research Institutes. Specifically, individual projects include:

1. The role of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells reactive to commensal bacterial antigens in Mucosal Immunity and pathogenesis of IBD.
2. Plasticity and stability of memory Th1, Th17, and Treg cells in intestine and their role in progression of colitis.
3. Regulation of host response to microbiota antigens.
4. microRNA regulation of host response to commensal bacteria and pathogenesis of IBD.

Recent Publications

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