Yi Miao earned his PhD from Duke University in 2016. After completing his postdoctoral training at Stanford University, he joined the Division of Life Science at HKUST as an Assistant Professor in January 2025.

Research Question

Our research laboratory is dedicated to exploring the fundamental mechanisms of inter-cellular communication. Specifically, we are passionate about understanding how ligand-receptor interactions at the cell surface govern signal transduction between different cell types and how dysregulation in these communication pathways contributes to various diseases. Building on these insights, we aim to develop innovative tools and therapeutics.

Research Approach

To study intercellular signaling, our laboratory employs a comprehensive approach that spans multiple disciplines, including protein biochemistry, structural biology, physiological characterization through genome editing and stem cell techniques, and drug development.

Recent Representative Publications

1. Wang, Jie*, Miao, Y.*, Wicklein, R., Sun, Z., Wang, J., Jude. K.M., Fernandes, R.A., Merrill, S.A., Wernig, M., Garcia, K.C. and Südhof, T.C. (2021) RTN4/NoGo receptor binding to BAI adhesion-GPCRs regulates neuronal development. Cell,184(24), 5869-5885.
2. Miao, Y., Ha, A., de Lau, W., Yuki, K., Santos, A. J., You, C., … Garcia, K.C. (2020) Next-Generation surrogate Wnts support organoid growth and deconvolute Frizzled pleiotropy in vivo. Cell Stem Cell, 27 (5), 840-851.
3. Dang, L.T.*, Miao, Y.*, Ha, A., Yuki, K., Park, K., Janda, J.Y., Jude, K.M., Mohan, K., Ha, N., Vallon, M. Yuan, J., Vilches-Moure, J.G., Kuo, C.J., Garcia, K.C. and Baker, D. (2019). Receptor subtype discrimination using extensive shape complementary designed interfaces. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol., 26(6), 407-414.
4. Miao, Y., Tenor, J.L., Toffaletti, D.L., Maskarinec, S.A., Liu, J.Y., Lee, R.E., Perfect, J.R., and Brennan, R.G. (2017). Structural and in vivo studies on trehalose-6-phosphate synthase from pathogenic fungi provide insights into its catalytic mechanism, biological necessity and potential for novel antifungal drug design. mBio 8, 13.
5. Miao, Y., Tenor, J.L., Toffaletti, D.L., Washington, E.J., Liu, J.Y., Shadrick, W.R., Schumacher, M.A., Lee, R.E., Perfect, J.R., and Brennan, R.G. (2016). Structures of trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase from pathogenic fungi reveal the mechanisms of substrate recognition and catalysis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 113, 7148-7153.

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