The research in the Mei Wu laboratory falls into four general categories:

• Cell signaling
  We investigate how heterotrimetric G-proteins direct lymphocyte trafficking in vivo using transgenic and gene-knockout mice in combination with intravital imaging system and in vivo flow cytometry in cooperation with the laboratory of Dr. Charles Lin.  In addition, IEX-1 targets IF1 for degradation in mitochondria and lack of Gαi2 impairs TGF-b signaling in T cells.   The underlying molecular cascades are being explored by various contemporary molecular and signaling technologies.
  
  
• Auto-immune disease
  We are studying the molecular basis of colitis development using IEX-1- and Gαi2-knockout mice. The two strains of mice display an opposite response to colitis induction. 
  
  
• T- cell homeostasis
  An imbalance in the differentiation and death of T- cell subsets would cause autoimmune diseases or immune deficiency.   This balance is regulated, at least in part, by IEX-1 induction that favors the survival of one T cell subset over the other.
  
  
• Cellular stress 
  IEX-1 is a stress-inducible gene.  Its expression leads to IF1 degradation, an increase in cellular ATP levels and a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in favor of cell survival.
  
  

Projects

• Suppression of Th17 differentiation by IEX-1
• IEX-1 can be a potential target for prevention of colitis and colon cancer
• Hypertension onset independent of inflammation
• Laser vaccine adjuvant effects
• A complex interaction between Gαi2 and Gαi3
• A linkage of Gαi2 and TGF-b signaling via a newly discovered Smad phosphatase