Xiao Heng

Xiao Heng serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry within the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri. His academic responsibilities include teaching BCH4300: Physical Biochemistry and leading a research laboratory focused on viral RNA structure and HIV-host molecular interactions.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. from University of Maryland Baltimore County

Research Interests: Dr. Heng specializes in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, with concentrated expertise in Virology and RNA epigenetics. His laboratory investigates the structural basis of HIV-1 RNA cap hypermethylation by host trimethylguanosine synthase, which forms a trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap essential for viral infectivity. This mechanism allows HIV to maintain protein synthesis during host translation shutdown. The lab employs NMR spectroscopy, cryoEM, small angle X-ray scattering, and isothermal titration calorimetry to characterize RNA-protein interactions critical for viral replication.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards mentioned in source text

Advising and Grants: Actively accepting new graduate students for structural virology research. Source material does not specify grant funding or advising relationships.

Laboratory: Directs a research group dedicated to elucidating molecular mechanisms of viral RNA epigenetic modification, with implications for novel antiviral therapeutic development targeting HIV post-transcriptional regulation.