Dr Yongxiu Yao

Yongxiu obtained her PhD in Molecular Virology from the University of Reading studying the host range of influenza virus. After post-doctoral position working on prion protein folding and the human immune response to SARS, Yongxiu joined the Pirbright Institute in 2005 to work on avian oncogenic viruses studying the role of virus and host-encoded microRNAs in oncogenesis. Following significant contributions to the field of miRNAs through the identification of several novel herpesvirus-encoded miRNAs and their roles in pathogenesis, she has recently focused on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for studying viral pathogenesis and developing recombinant vaccine.

Yongxiu’s major interest is in the host-virus interactions to unravel the molecular mechanisms of tumour formation by avian oncogenic viruses including Marek’s disease virus, avian leukosis virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus. Yongxiu is head of the Viral Oncogenesis group. Currently, the group focuses on gene function studies of both virus and host to identify the determinants associated with pathogenesis and latency/reactivation, as well as recombinant herpesvirus vectored vaccine development using state-of-the-art technologies including reverse genetics on viral genomes, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, global CRISPR screening, CRISPRi/CRISPRa tools and bioimaging technologies.

Yongxiu is also the designated World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) expert for Marek's disease at the Marek’s Disease Virus Reference Laboratory at the Pirbright Institute.