Yan Shi, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Curriculum Vitae:

M.D. - Shanghai Medical University, China (1988)
M.S. - University of Iowa (1992)
Ph.D. - University of Iowa (1997)

Potential Graduate Supervisor

Click here for Dr. Yan Shi's Laboratory

Research
Topics: endogenous and microbial adjuvants, and their receptors, in antigen presenting cell activation; natural antibodies; and nucleic acid in immune regulation

1.  Endogenous Adjuvants: these are host cell components released during cell death and cell injury that are capable of activating the immune system.  Our previous work indicated that uric acid, a common purine metabolite, was one of the principal endogenous adjuvants.  We are currently looking into other host cell components that have similar properties.

2.   Natural Antibodies: We have evidence to believe that natural antibodies are a significant regulator of the endogenous adjuvant activities, especially uric acid.  We are currently investigating the extent and magnitude of their involvement.

3.   Purine signaling: In infection and inflammation, extracellular adenine nucleoside and nucleotide levels fluctuate significantly.  These purines are capable of modulating immune responses.  We are studying the mechanisms of these regulations.

All these research topics have implications in autoimmune diseases, microbial and tumor immunity as well as vaccine development.