Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Email: lok-yinroy-wong@uiowa.edu
Year entered program: 2019
Research
My research interest is in coronavirus pathogenesis and interaction with the immune system. I am interested in understanding how improper immune responses can result in severe diseases using animal models. My current work focus on the role of IFN in mediating differential outcomes in various CoV infection models including MHV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 with a lethal mouse model developed for SARS-CoV-2 recently in our lab. In addition, I am working on the role of an accessory protein of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in relation to virulence of these viruses.
Publications
Wong, L.Y., Lui, P.Y., Jin, D.Y. (2016). A molecular arms race between host innate antiviral response and emerging human coronaviruses. Virologica Sinica 21(1), 12-23. doi: 10.1007/s12250-015-3683-3.
*Lui, P.Y., *Wong, L.Y., Fung, C.L., Siu, K.L., Yeung, M.L., Yuen, K.S., Chan, C.P., Woo, C.Y., Yuen, K.Y., Jin, D.Y. (2016). Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus M protein suppresses type I interferon expression through the inhibition of TBK1-dependent phosphorylation of IRF3. Emerging Microbes & Infections 5(4), e39. doi: 10.1038/emi.2016.33.
*Lui, P.Y., *Wong, L.Y., Ho, T.H., Au, W.N., Chan, C.P., Kok, K.H., Jin, D.Y. (2017). PACT Facilitates RNA-induced Activation of MDA5 by Promoting MDA5 Oligomerization. Journal of Immunology 199(5): 1846-1855. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601493.
Awards
2021-2022 Mechanisms of Parasitism and Pathogenesis (T32) Trainee