Wen Lab

• Investigating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion and how signaling through these pathways drives cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
• Particular interest in understanding how immune cells, especially neutrophils, adhere to blood vessels and trigger inflammation, often leading to immune disorders.
• Using advanced technologies to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying leukocyte adhesion and inflammation.
• Tracking immune cell behavior in real time during inflammation, infection and tissue repair.

Lai Wen, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Pharmacology with a particular interest on leukocyte adhesion in cardiovascular inflammation. The Wen Lab uses state-of-the-art technology to study inflammatory responses and signaling at molecular, cellular and whole organism levels. The lab applies biosensors to transgenic mouse models to directly visualize immune cell recruitment and function during inflammation, infection and tissue injury in vitro and in vivo.

• Lai Wen, Ph.D.: Principal Investigator

• Applied biosensors and transgenic mouse models to gain a fundamental understanding of immune responses and vascular signaling at molecular, cellular and whole organism levels.

• Gene editing and genomic engineering
• Multi-color flow cytometry
• Transgenic mouse models
• Lentiviral and retroviral gene delivery
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Biosensors/probes
• Homogenous antibody binding assays
• Molecular structure/function analysis
• Microfluidics
• High-resolution imaging

1. Molecular regulation of β2 integrin activation in neutrophil adhesion and inflammation.
   • Award: R01HL174533
   • Funding organization: National Institute of Health (NIH) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)