Yuanfei Wu, M.D., Ph.D.
| Instructor |  |
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| Ph.D.: 2003, Université Paris | ||
| Postdoctoral research: UMass Chan Medical School | ||
| Office: | UMass Chan Medical School 364 Plantation Street, LRB-570-L Worcester, MA 01605 |
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| Phone: | 508-856-2831 | |
| Email: | Yuanfei.Wu@umassmed.edu | |
Research
HIV-1 induces the formation of stable conjugates between infected and non-infected T cells, which is thought to facilitate HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission. I have found that the RHO family GTPase CDC42, a molecular switch that plays a key role in the establishment of polarity in eukaryotic cells, is critical for efficient HIV-1 spreading in T cell lines and in primary cells. In addition, I have identified the formin-related protein FMNL1, which has been implicated in cell polarity, as an important partner of CDC42 in HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission.