About

The Yao Lab studies the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and extracellular matrix (ECM)

 

 

Our research interest lies in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neurological disorders with a focus on laminin, a major component of the basal lamina/basement membrane. Specifically, we study: (1) how laminin regulates BBB integrity under both physiological and pathological conditions, and (2) how laminin affects the pathogenesis of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Our goal is to develop innovative therapies for these devastating diseases.

 

The Yao Lab has:

  • Research Associates

  • Postdoctoral Fellows

  • Graduate Students

  • Undergraduate Researchers

Meet Our Team

Experimental Approaches

Genetic Tools

Using CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we have generated a series of laminin reporter, knockout, and over-expression mouse lines. These novel genetic tools enable us to answer some important questions in the field. 

 

Stroke Surgery/Models

For hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage), we routinely use both the collagenase and autologous blood models. For ischemic stroke, we routinely perform both transient (tMCAO) and permanent distal (pdMCAO) middle cerebral artery occlusion models to model ischemia-reperfusion and focal ischemia, respectively.

High-Resolution Imaging 

We routinely use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize the ultrastructure of endothelial tight junctions, quantify transcytosis, and examine other ultrastructure of CNS cells. We also use Two-Photon microscopy to characterize pericyte/fibroblast changes and study neurovascular coupling in unanesthetized live mice. Confocal microscopy is routinely used for immunohistochemistry

Next-Generation Sequencing

We routinely perform both bulk RNAseq and single-cell RNAseq, which enable systemically characterization of the transcriptional profiles of a given population and each cell in this population, respectively. These techniques will allow us to determine how loss of laminin or its receptors affects the transcriptome of the cells. 

Funding

 

NIH-NINDS (R01NS134134): 2023-2028 

Fibroblast-derived laminin regulates blood-brain barrier integrity and fibroblast biology in hemorrhage brain.

PI: Yao Yao

 

NIH-NIA (R01AG065345): 2021-2026

The roles of pericyte-derived laminin in neurovascular function and neurodegeneration.
PI: Yao Yao                                                                

 

NIH-NHLBI (R01HL146574): 2019-2024

Endothelial laminin in blood brain barrier regulation (2019-2024)
PI: Yao Yao

 

NIH-NHLBI (T32HL160529): 2022-2027

Training in research on vascular inflammation and injury

PI: Sarah Yuan; Trainee: Marsilla Gray; Sponsor: Yao Yao  

 

NIH-NIA (R21AG073862): 2021-2023

Cell-specific changes of laminin expression in the CNS in Alzheimer’s disease

PI: Yao Yao

 

NIH-NIA (R21AG064422): 2020-2022

Screening and identification of pericyte-specific and subpopulation-specific markers
PI: Yao Yao
 

AHA Career Development Award (24CDA1276477): 2024-2027

Role of microglia/macrophage-derived laminin-α5 in ischemic stroke pathogenesis

PI: Abhijit Nirwane; Sponsor: Yao Yao

 

AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (20PRE35210605): 2020-2022

The function of fibroblast-derived laminin-γ1 in intracerebral hemorrhage pathogenesis

PI: Lingling Xu; Sponsor: Yao Yao

 

AHA Scientist Development Grant (16SDG29320001): 2016-2019 

Pericytic laminin regulates pericyte differentiation and blood vessel integrity in the brain.

PI: Yao Yao

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location

University of South Florida

Morsani College of Medicine 

12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd
MDC 2143-2152 and 2103
Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

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