Qiyi Tang

Qiyi Tang is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Howard University College of Medicine, where he leads research on virus-host interactions, particularly in cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). His work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying congenital viral infections and neural developmental disorders. He has extensive experience in virology, molecular biology, gene regulation, and neurovirology.

• Ph.D., Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), 1997
• Postdoctoral training at UMDNJ and The Wistar Institute under Dr. Gerd Maul

Dr. Tang’s research interests span virology, molecular biology, neurovirology, gene splicing regulation, epigenetics, and host-pathogen interactions. He investigates how CMV and ZIKV disrupt neural development, using mouse models and molecular techniques. His work on ND10 (PML bodies) and viral IE proteins has revealed key insights into viral transcription, replication, and immune evasion. He also studies KSHV reactivation and host factors like HDACs and SUMOylation.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on CMV and ZIKV pathogenesis, viral gene regulation, host factor exploitation, and animal modeling. Key themes include IE protein functions (IE1, IE2/IE3), nuclear domain dynamics (ND10/PML), viral splicing control, and CNS infection mechanisms. His team has developed neonatal mouse models for ZIKV, cloned ZIKV proteins, and identified permissive cell types.

• Molecular Neuro-pathogenesis of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection (NIH/NIGMS/NIAID, $377,500/year)
• In vitro and in vivo studies of Cytomegalovirus MIE gene regulation (NIH, $324,000/year)
• Human Cytomegalovirus Genomic Diversity and Neural Disorders in Neonates (RCMI/NIMHD/NIH)
• Notch pathway and miRNA in ZIKV-caused neural disorders (pending R21)

Dr. Tang has served as PI or co-Investigator on multiple NIH and ACS-funded grants, including completed projects on KSHV reactivation, CMV gene regulation, and herpesvirus transmission. He mentors a research team including postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. candidates, and technicians. His lab collaborates with experts in structural biology and virology, such as Dr. Hong Z. Zhou. He has published extensively in journals like Journal of Virology, PLoS Pathogens, and Oncotarget, contributing significantly to understanding viral pathogenesis and host defenses.