Yong Cheng

Dr. Yong Cheng received his B.S. degree in Biotechnology in 2002 and his Ph.D. degree in Microbiology in 2007 from Huazhong Agricultural University, China. In 2007, Dr. Cheng joined the University of Basel, Switzerland, with F. Hoffmann–La Roche Ltd Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2011, Dr. Cheng then joined the Dr. Jeffrey Schorey's lab at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Dr. Cheng's previous study focused on the research understanding the mechanism of host-pathogen interactions in the context of mycobacterial infections, and novel antimycobacterial drug discovery in collaboration with the biopharmaceutical companies, Hsiri Therapeutics Inc and Shionogi & Co. His study also included the development of new anti-tuberculosis vaccines and diagnostic tools. In 2020, Dr. Cheng joined the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University. He is currently working on multiple projects understanding the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis/non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and the host.

Research Interests:

Our research is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the host-pathogen interactions during mycobacterial infections. 1) Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), has infected one third of populations across the world, leading to 9 million new TB cases and 1.4 million deaths annually. Among those infected, 5 - 10% people would develop active TB disease during their lifetime. While the development of novel technologies such as diagnostic platforms advanced the global TB control in the past decades, TB remains one of the most fatal infectious diseases. 2) Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus complex, are emerging pathogens that are responsible for severe lung infections in individuals suffering from bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. The mechanism on how mycobacterial infection leads to the disease remains to be elucidated. The long-term goal of our research is to decipher the mechanisms of mycobacterial pathogenesis and the host defense to these organisms using cutting-edge technologies. We hope that our research will facilitate the development of novel, active and cost-effective antimycobacterial drugs and vaccines.

We are always looking for motivated students. If you are interested in our projects, please contact us