Hinh Ly, MA, PhD
Professor, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; Director of Graduate Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine
Contact
Email
Office Address
295H AS/VM Building
1988 Fitch Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
United States
Titles
Professor, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Director of Graduate Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine
Faculty, PhD Program in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Faculty, PhD Program in Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology (MICaB)
Faculty, PhD Program in Integrative Biology and Physiology (IBP)
Faculty, PhD Program in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
Faculty, PhD Program in Veterinary Medicine (VMED)/Veterinary Science (VSci)
Education
- PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MA, University of California, Los Angeles
- BS, University of California, Los Angeles
Biography
Summary
Ly, Hinh, PhD - Virus-host interactions, antiviral and vaccine developments
Dr. Ly’s laboratory focuses on understanding the virus-host interactions in the replication and pathogenesis of zoonotic viral pathogens (arenaviruses such as Lassa virus, coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, and influenza viruses), and developing novel preventative and treatment measures, utilizing small animal models. The current research projects in the Ly laboratory have revealed novel mechanisms by which arenaviruses suppress host innate immunity to promote viral replication and cause severe and lethal infections. The Ly laboratory also develops novel, safe, and effective viral vectors and vaccines against various human and animal pathogens. They have collaborated with other investigators to test the protective efficacy of some of the new antivirals and vaccines that they have developed in animal models, such as mice, guinea pigs, chickens, turkeys, swine, and other food production and comparative animal models of human diseases. Dr. Ly and his laboratory provide exceptional training for undergraduate (BS), graduate (MS, PhD), and professional (DVM, DVM-PhD) students interested in basic and translational research in viral replication, pathogenesis, and antiviral and vaccine developments.
Dr. Ly serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Comparative & Molecular Biosciences and as a coordinator of a flagship graduate course for the NIH T32 training program in Comparative Pathology and Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Expertise
- Arenavirus/Coronavirus/Influenza virus
- Innate Immunity
- Vaccine Development
- Antiviral Development
Research
Research summary/interests
Lassa fever virus infection can lead to severe and sometime fatal hemorrhagic fever diseases in humans, for which there is no vaccine or effective drug. Studies of Lassa (LASV) and other pathogenic arenaviruses have been hindered by the strict requirement for BSL-4 containment to work with these select agents. We have developed an infectious molecular clone for a prototypic BSL2 arenavirus (Pichinde virus) as well as a safe and convenient surrogate animal model for LASV. These novel systems have afforded us with unique resources and unprecedented opportunities to investigate in details the processes of viral entry/infection, genome replication/transcription and virulence. We are also interested in characterizing novel mechanisms of host innate-immune suppression by these viruses. These efforts may lead the development of effective therapeutics against this deadly viral pathogen.
Publications
Selected publications
Dr. Ly, PubMed
Teaching
- CMB 8202 – Mechanisms of Animal Health and Disease – course coordinator and instructor
- CMB 8303 – Comparative Models of Disease – course coordinator and instructor
- VMED 5410 – Scientific Writing and Speaking – course instructor
- VBS 2032 – Undergraduate General Microbiology – guest lecturer