Yuntao Wu

Dr. Yuntao Wu is a Professor at George Mason University's School of Systems Biology, where he holds dual appointments as Research Faculty and Instructional Faculty. He is affiliated with the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) and has dedicated over 30 years to virology research, with the past 20 years focused specifically on HIV infection mechanisms in blood CD4 T cells and macrophages.

Dr. Wu received his PhD in Molecular Virology from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1998. He completed postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where his work on HIV-1 pre-integration transcription in resting CD4 T cells was published in Science in 2001.

His laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of HIV pathogenesis with particular emphasis on chemokine co-receptor signaling, the role of cofilin in HIV infection, and PSGL-1 as an HIV restriction factor. His research has been published in premier journals including Cell (2008), Science Advances (2019), and Nature Microbiology (2019). A key focus has been understanding how HIV overcomes cortical actin restriction in resting CD4 T cells, which has led to the development of HIV Rev-dependent vectors for targeting viral reservoirs.

Dr. Wu's publication record reveals an evolving research trajectory from fundamental HIV entry mechanisms to innovative therapeutic approaches. Early work established the role of actin dynamics in HIV infection, while more recent studies have identified PSGL-1 as a restriction factor and explored natural compounds that inhibit HIV. His laboratory consistently bridges basic science with translational applications, particularly in developing strategies to target and eliminate HIV reservoirs.

Dr. Wu actively mentors the next generation of scientists through his vibrant laboratory environment at George Mason University. His lab includes PhD students specializing in various aspects of HIV research, including PSGL-1 restriction, HBV cccDNA targeting, HIV cytoskeleton interactions, natural compounds that inhibit HIV, and Rev-dependent SIV targeting vectors. His research has been supported by multiple grants focused on viral pathogenesis and therapeutic development.

The Wu Lab operates as a multidisciplinary research hub equipped with advanced technologies including flow cytometry, RT-PCR, viral vector design and production, fluorescent microscopy, and plasmid cloning. Current projects span HIV reservoir targeting, cofilin pathway modulation, natural compound screening, viral imaging, and hepatitis B virus research. The lab actively recruits George Mason University students as blood donors for ongoing HIV research, demonstrating strong community engagement in the scientific process.