Our lab investigates humoral immunity and antibodies at the single-cell and molecular levels, with applications to infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, HIV, and other challenging pathogens. We employ high-throughput single-cell sequencing and deep mutational scanning, computational modeling, and experimental virology to advance understanding and interventions.
Our work maps SARS-CoV-2 mutational landscapes, and identifies evasion hotspots to anticipate future variants. We developed a high-throughput deep mutational scanning (DMS) technology, enabling large-scale mapping of antibody escaping mutation profiles, and developed a SARS-CoV-2 evolution prediction model was constructed based on population immune pressure calculated by DMS profiles from a large collection of neutralizing antibodies, allowing precise prediction of viral evolution. Achievements include developing models for RBD evolution, conducting deep mutational scanning, and characterizing emerging variants for their infectivity, antibody evasion, and antigenic properties.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution and variants (Modified from nextstrain.org)
SARS-CoV-2 evolution and variants (Modified from nextstrain.org)
Antigenic map of SARS-CoV-2 major variants from mouse immunization
Antigenic map of SARS-CoV-2 major variants from mouse immunization