Yao Yao

Dr. Yao Yao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. She is affiliated with the Regenerative Bioscience Center, the Developmental Biology Alliance, and the Neuroscience Program. Her research integrates molecular biotechnology, genetics, epigenetics, and advanced genome editing tools to investigate skeletal muscle development and neurodegenerative diseases.

• B.S. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Ph.D. from Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Postdoctoral training at University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Yao's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle development under normal and pathological conditions, with particular emphasis on fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) in intramuscular adipocyte development. Her lab investigates the dual role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in neurodegenerative diseases as both mediators of pathogenesis and potential therapeutic agents. She utilizes high-throughput genomic approaches combined with genome engineering to investigate gene regulatory networks governing muscle development and disease. Her work has significant implications for improving meat quality in livestock and developing treatments for muscular disorders in both animals and humans.

Analysis of Dr. Yao's recent publications reveals a strong focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, with particular emphasis on extracellular vesicles as therapeutic delivery systems, CRISPR-based genome editing applications, and skeletal muscle pathology. Her work spans multiple disciplines including molecular biology, neuroscience, genetics, and biotechnology, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and treating neuromuscular diseases.

Dr. Yao has secured substantial funding for her research from prestigious sources including the National Institutes of Health, US Department of Defense, Johnson & Johnson, and various UGA internal funding programs. Her research program focuses on developing exosome-based gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS, and investigating the role of FAPs in muscle disorders.

The Yao Laboratory, part of the Regenerative Bioscience Center at UGA, actively recruits graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, technicians, and undergraduate researchers. The lab maintains strong collaborations across multiple disciplines and is actively developing novel therapeutic approaches for neuromuscular diseases using cutting-edge genome editing technologies and extracellular vesicle delivery systems.