Dr. Yao is the Professor, and the Director, Laboratory of Molecular Human Retrovirology, in the Department of Medical Microbiology in University of Manitoba, Canada.  In 2014, he obtained the Manitoba Research Chair Award.  He obtained his M.D. and M.Sc. degrees respectively at Suzhou Medical University and National Institute for the Control of Pharma. and Biol. Products in China. Then he moved to Dr. E. Cohen’s lab at University of Montreal and got his Ph.D. degree in 1996.  Dr. Yao was one of a few scientists who first characterized the anti-HIV compound 3TC in vitro.

Dr. Yao Since 2004, he has established his Human Molecule Laboratory in the University of Manitoba. Now, he is the Professor, and the Director, Laboratory of Molecular Human Retrovirology.  Currently, his lab mainly focuses on I) HIV and host protein interactions and their functional roles during HIV-1 replication. II) Development of novel DC-targeting Vaccine approaches against different microorganisms, including HIV and Influenza.  The optimal goal of his research is to gain better understanding of the mechanism underlying HIV replication and to translate research findings into knowledge for better designing of the various efficient strategies against lethal viral infections.

Dr. Yao research interest includes Investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the early stage of HIV replication, especially on HIV-1 integrase/cellular cofactor interactions required for HIV-1 DNA nuclear import, chromatin targeting, and integration. Study on the mechanism involved in the combat between HIV-1 Vif and host defenders during HIV-1 infection and development of new antiviral strategies restricting HIV dissemination and inducing the broad immune response. Study on the impact of HIV regulatory gene products on HIV replication/pathogenesis and its mother to child transmission.

 Development of a safe and sensitive avian influenza virus entry system for studying of the impact of H5N1 HA mutations on virus entry in human cells and for screening antiviral agents.