Wei Cheng
University of Michigan, MI·Microbiology & Immunology
Most animal viruses share two physical features. First, viral proteins are displayed on the virus surface at a certain density.
- Fields
Microbiology & Immunology
Biophysics
- Topics
B cells
humoral immunity
antibody responses
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through Jun 2027
What they work on
- Determine how the density of proteins displayed on virus-like particles controls B cell activation, using the lab's model particulate antigens in vivo and in vitro.
- Test how nucleic acids packed inside mock viral particles stimulate B cells through Toll-like receptors, which sense microbial genetic material, and how this combines with surface antigen density.
- Define what B cells go on to do after recognizing these biophysical features of particulate antigens, including the antibody responses they mount.
More about the research
Second, the viral genome is packed inside the particle. The immune system may read both features. B cells, the immune cells that make antibodies, may need viral surface proteins to reach a threshold density before they respond strongly. The nucleic acids inside a virus can also stimulate B cells through Toll-like receptors, sensors that detect microbial genetic material. Earlier single-molecule and live-cell imaging studies showed that B cells are sensitive to how densely antigens are packed. Antigens are the molecules the immune system recognizes. Still, how B cells read these individual and combined features of a virus remains largely unknown.
Why it matters
Vaccines work by triggering protective immune responses. Knowing exactly how B cells respond to surface-protein density and the genetic material inside virus-like particles could guide the design of vaccines that produce stronger antibody responses. It would also explain how viral pathogens activate B cells.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
Steven Boeynaems
Baylor College of Medicine, TX·Neuroscience·Early-career
Define the biophysical rules by which neuropathological proteins form condensates with nucleic acids that mimic antimicrobial peptides and boost Toll-like receptor immune signaling, using in vitro biophysical approaches.
Karthik Hullahalli
Loyola University Chicago, IL·Microbiology & Immunology·Early-career
Define how broadly nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs, approved antiviral drugs) reduce harmful inflammation across diverse bacterial infection settings in mice, beyond E. coli bloodstream infection.
Pamela Wong
University of Michigan, MI·Microbiology & Immunology
Profile the immune responses raised by the combined nanoemulsion plus RIG-I-agonist adjuvant paired with multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens, comparing injection and mucosal routes, to identify optimal formulations and delivery.
The school
University of Michigan: 124 labs on PI Pages, $2.1B a year on research, 963 research doctorates a year.
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