Peng Yao

Peng Yao, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center with dual appointments in the Department of Medicine (Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute) and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (School of Medicine and Dentistry). His laboratory focuses on RNA biology and translational control mechanisms in cardiac health and disease.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Wuhan University (2003)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Chinese Academy of Science (2008)
• Post-doctoral training under Dr. Paul Fox at Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic (2008-2012)

Dr. Yao's research program centers on understanding pathophysiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins in the cardiac system and cardiovascular disorders. His laboratory investigates translational control mechanisms in cardiac health and disease, riboswitch-like RNA switch mechanisms of gene regulation in mammalian systems, and the role of translation machinery in cardiovascular system. The lab employs various approaches including biochemistry and biophysics, molecular and cellular biology, genetic and surgical mouse models, and high throughput technologies combined with bioinformatic tools to dissect regulatory pathways. Recent discoveries include a new type of stress-responsive, protein-directed human RNA switch that regulates VEGFA expression and a novel mRNA processing mechanism that expands the human proteome.

Analysis of Dr. Yao's recent publications reveals a strong thematic focus on translational control mechanisms in cardiac pathophysiology. His work spans fundamental molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on RNA-binding proteins, mitochondrial translation, RNA structural elements regulating translation, and novel therapeutic targets for cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. The research demonstrates translational relevance with connections to drug development, particularly in targeting fibrosis-related diseases including heart failure.

Scientific Awards:

• American Heart Association (AHA) Established Investigator Award (2024)
• Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Award (2023)
• Poster Competition Award at the 4th ACRE-APS Symposium at BCVS (2022)
• University of Research Award (2022)
• LeapRx Program Award (2022)
• Rubens Discovery Award (2021)

Dr. Yao actively mentors postdoctoral scholars, research staff, and graduate students in his laboratory. His research program is supported by NIH funding for translational control of human health and disease, as well as industry funding from Novo Nordisk to develop novel RNA-based drugs for treating fibrosis-related human diseases including heart failure, liver stenosis, and cancer. The Yao Laboratory employs a comprehensive methodology including in vitro translation systems, polysome profiling coupled with RNA-Seq, RiboTag-Seq, ribosome profiling, protein-RNA interaction assays, and various mouse models of heart failure to investigate translational control mechanisms in the cardiac system.