My laboratory is a part of the Anesthesiology Translational Research Program.  Funded by NIH for more than 20 years and DoD since 2017, my team and I investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of sepsis, traumatic injury, and ischemic myocardial injury. We are particularly interested in the role of novel innate immune signaling in the pathogenesis of these critical illnesses.

We use a combination of mouse genetics (transgenics and knockouts), physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology for these basic and translational studies. We are also interested in identifying novel prognostic biomarkers in sepsis and trauma.

These clinical studies involve a multi-disciplinary team with complementary expertise in multi-omics,
bioinformatics, statistical modeling, machine-learning, and clinical investigation in several medical centers across
the country. 

Meet the Team

Wei Chao, MD, PhD 

Principal Investigator/Professor

MD: Hunan Medical College, Changsha, China
PhD: Biochemistry, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, San Antonio, TX

Dr. Chao's Lab |Dr. Chao's Faculty Profile

Lin Zou, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

MD:  Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, China
Ph.D: Ultrasound Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, China

Dr. Zou's Faculty Profile 

Brittney Williams, MD

Associate Professor

MD: State University of New York, Upstate Medical University

Dr. William's Faculty Profile

Chanhee Park

Research Specialist

Arijit Dutta

Clinical Research Assistant

 

Boyand Ren

Post-Doc

Xiaomei Yang

Post-Doc

Yija Li

Post-Doc

John Kessler II, MD

Surgical Resident

Shan Li

Program Specialist

Projects

Our current work focuses on four major projects:

First, we have imaged myocardial extracellular (ex) nucleic acids released following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and demonstrated the importance of ex-RNA in myocardial inflammation and infarct following I/R insult. Through single nucleus RNAseq, we identified a remarkable changes in both myocardial cell compositions and cell-specific transcriptome in endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells after I/R injury.

Second, in collaboration with multiple investigators within the STAR and throughout the University of Maryland, we study the role of ex-miRNAs-TLR7 signaling in the pathogenesis of polymicrobial sepsis, such as innate immune activation, acute lung injury, myocardial bioenergetics, coagulopathy, brain inflammation, and long-term neurocognitive dysfunction. We characterized the pro-inflammatory properties of a group of U-rich miRNAs and investigated the role of ex-mRNAs and their plasma extracellular vesicle (EV) carriers in murine sepsis.

Third, in a mouse model of polytraumatic injury, we investigate the role of innate immune signaling in the secondary inflammatory damage following trauma and the impact of hypobaric condition to the innate immune response and organ injury.

Finally, in collaboration with investigators at MGH and the STAR Clinical informatics Group, we recently launched an interdisciplinary project designed to use machine learning and computer algorithms for enhanced pain recognition. We are currently supported by grants from NIH, Air Force, International Anesthesia Research Society, and National Science Foundation.

Grants and Contracts

Grants

2021-2026
Extracellular miRNAs, Innate Immunity, and Critical Illness
NIH/NIGMS, Grant Number: 1R35GM140822-01
Role: Principal Investigator
View Grant

2022-2025
Trauma-induced coagulopathy: Impact of aeromedical evacuation and novel intervention
Air Force, Grant Number: USAF/AFMC FA8650-22-2-6L02
Role: Contact PI

Publications

Please see Dr. Chao's faculty profile for a complete list of his publications.

You can also see his publications on Pub Med.

Contact

Office: (410) 706 2566
Email: wchao@som.umaryland.edu