About

Wei Mi is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. He obtained his PhD degree in structural biology from Peking University in Beijing, China. Driven by a fascination with the structures of membrane proteins, he pursued postdoctoral training in the United States at Purdue University, the University of Washington, and Harvard Medical School (HMS). At HMS, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Maofu Liao, where he applied single particle cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) to determine the structures of ATP-binding cassette transporters within lipid bilayer environments. In 2019, Dr. Mi joined the Department of Pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. His research focuses on dissecting the mechanisms of membrane proteins involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis and regulation, employing genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches.

Research topics

• Virology
• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Cell biology
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Machine learning-based modeling for monitoring and predicting the detection rate and severity of pathogenic microorganisms in seafood

  International Journal of Food Microbiology · 2026-03-12

  article1st author
  PublisherDOI

• Orthogonal Molecular Weight Analysis of Challenging Macromolecules Using MALS and Mass Photometry: Example of Polydeoxyribonucleotide

  Biomacromolecules · 2026-03-18

  articleCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: The molecular weight of complicated biological macromolecules is typically difficult to determine precisely. As an example, the complicated nature of high viscosity, low solubility, and extremely broad MW distribution of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which was extracted from salmon sperm cells and possesses a number of physiological activities related to its weight-average molecular weight (MW), subjected it to challenges for accurate MW determination. The commonly used technologies such as mass spectrometry and gel electrophoresis might not work properly for the accurate determination of PDRN MW; thus, it is necessary to develop effective analytical methods to address this challenge. METHODS AND RESULTS: Considering PDRN as a polymer sample, multiangle light scattering (MALS) was employed for analysis. Both size-exclusion chromatography-MALS (SEC-MALS) and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation-MALS (AF4-MALS) obtained consistent MW results. Notably, AF4-MALS has achieved the preliminary separation and quantification of RNA impurities in PDRN samples. Additionally, considering PDRN as a single-particle sample, the mass photometry was employed as an orthogonal technique for MALS measurement. It is demonstrated that the MW results obtained by the three methods were consistent. CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that the developed orthogonal methods can get a consistent MW of PDRN, also providing an example of how these methods can provide both "overall" and "single-particle" data that will be useful in accurate weight-average molecular weight determination of complicated biological samples.

  PublisherDOI

• SEC-MALS Analysis of Polydeoxyribonucleotides: Revealing Product Heterogeneity and Enabling Measurement Standardization

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2026-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Family functioning types and self-injury risk among left-behind secondary school students: a latent profile analysis with shame as a mediator

  Frontiers in Psychology · 2026-05-18

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Objective To identify latent profiles of family functioning among left-behind secondary school students and to examine their associations with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as well as the mediating role of shame. Methods A cross-sectional survey using cluster sampling was conducted in 2024 among 2,385 secondary school students from two rural schools in Huaihua City, Hunan Province. Family functioning was assessed using the Family APGAR scale, shame was measured using the Shame Scale, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) was evaluated based on DSM-5 criteria via a self-report questionnaire. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify family functioning. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression models were applied to assess the associations among family functioning, shame, and NSSI. Causal mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the mediating effect of shame. Results Three latent profiles of family functioning were identified: low, moderate, and high functioning. After adjusting for potential confounders: (1) compared with students in the high-functioning profile, those in the low-functioning (OR = 1.686, 95% CI: 1.346–2.114) and moderate-functioning profiles (OR = 2.880, 95% CI: 2.125–3.921) had a significantly higher risk of NSSI; (2) shame scores were significantly higher in the low-functioning (β = 2.987) and moderate-functioning profiles (β = 3.762) (both P < 0.001); and (3) each one-point increase in shame was associated with a 33% higher risk of NSSI (OR = 1.330, 95% CI: 1.260–2.041). Mediation analyses indicated that shame partially mediated the association between family functioning and NSSI (low vs. high functioning: mediated proportion = 17.20%; moderate vs. high functioning: mediated proportion = 10.32%). Conclusion Family functioning among left-behind secondary school students is heterogeneous. Lower levels of family functioning not only directly increase the risk of NSSI but also indirectly influence self-injurious behavior through elevated shame. Shame represents a key psychological mechanism. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on improving family functioning and reducing shame, such as enhancing family communication and providing school-based psychological support, to effectively prevent and reduce NSSI among this vulnerable population.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Structural and optical properties of high crystalline quality orthorhombic к-Ga2O3 heteroepitaxial films grown by HVPE

  Applied Physics A · 2025-09-19 · 1 citations

  articleCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Studying host cell protein based on 2D nano-LC–MS/MS: comparison between the removal and the reservation of the main antibody components

  Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry · 2025-02-18 · 3 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Establishment of a novel large-scale targeted metabolomics method based on NFSWI-DDA mode utilizing HRMS and TQ-MS

  Talanta · 2025-01-10 · 3 citations

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  PublisherDOI

• Comparative study of triglyceride glucose index and coronary heart disease risk in middle aged and elderly Chinese and British populations

  Scientific Reports · 2025-07-01 · 8 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Extensive research has validated the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as a reliable biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification in elderly populations. However, comparative analyses across diverse ethnic groups remain scarce, with existing literature predominantly focused on homogeneous cohorts. This cross-national study investigates the association between TyG index and coronary heart disease(CHD) incidence in Chinese and British populations, aiming to quantify regional differences in CHD prevalence, and elucidate the TyG index's predictive value for CHD pathogenesis across distinct demographic contexts. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data were retrospectively collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The TyG index was calculated using the formula: TyG = [TG (mg/dl) × FBG (mg/dl)/2]. TyG-BMI and TyG-WC were derived by multiplying the TyG index with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), respectively. Logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between TyG index quartiles and CHD incidence, with the lowest quartile serving as the reference. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between TyG index and CHD. Additionally, the subgroup analysis and interaction of CHD and TyG index in China and United Kingdom (UK) were also analyzed. The CHARLS cohort included individuals aged ≥ 45 years, while ELSA enrolled participants aged ≥ 50 years. A significant disparity in CHD prevalence was observed: 37.84% (910/2405) in CHARLS versus 24.13% (733/3038) in ELSA (p < 0.001). Gender distributions were balanced in both cohorts. Participants with CHD exhibited significantly higher TyG index values and inflammatory marker levels compared to non-CHD groups (p < 0.001). After controlling for confounding variables, regression analysis suggested that the highest TyG quartile (Q4) in China showed a 2.11-fold increased CHD risk (95% CI: 1.51-2.89), whereas the UK cohort exhibited a weaker association (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.70). A dose-response relationship was observed, with TyG thresholds of 9.72 (China) and 8.51 (UK). Dose-response analyses identified population-specific TyG thresholds for CHD risk escalation-9.72 in China versus 8.51 in UK (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses further highlighted ethnic heterogeneity: non-diabetic Chinese individuals faced disproportionately elevated risks (OR = 2.41), contrasting with uniform trends in the UK. These findings underscore the necessity of population-tailored cardiovascular risk stratification strategies. Elevated TyG index demonstrates a significant association with increased CHD risk. The observed higher CHD prevalence in China compared to the UK underscores the clinical utility of TyG index assessment for early cardiovascular risk stratification. Future investigations should prioritize multi-ethnic validation studies and explore its potential as a biomarker for precision prevention strategies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Estimating the relative rates of lipopolysaccharide synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12 by click chemistry-mediated labeling

  PLoS ONE · 2025-06-23 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a critical glycolipid component of Gram-negative bacteria, plays a central role in bacterial membrane integrity and host immune interactions. Despite extensive studies on the regulation of LPS synthesis, methods to quantify its synthesis rate remain limited. Here, we present a novel approach to measure in vivo LPS synthesis rates in the E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 using click chemistry. This method involves the incorporation of an exogenous Kdo analog, 8-azido-3,8-dideoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo-N3), into newly synthesized LPS, followed by a copper-free click reaction with a fluorescent alkyne. The labeled LPS is separated by SDS-PAGE and visualized via in-gel fluorescence. We compared two fluorescent dyes and found that AZDye 488 DBCO exhibited stronger sensitivity for labeling LPS during the log phase of bacterial growth. Our results further demonstrated that the amount of newly synthesized LPS correlates linearly with the pulse labeling time of Kdo-N3, validating this approach as a reliable method for estimating relative LPS synthesis rates during the exponential phase of E. coli MG1655 growth. This method offers a reliable, non-radioactive approach for measuring LPS synthesis in vivo, providing a powerful tool to investigate bacterial physiology and the regulation of LPS biogenesis.

  PublisherDOI

• Estimating the Relative Rates of Lipopolysaccharide Synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12 by Click Chemistry-Mediated Labeling v1

  2025-03-13

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a critical glycolipid component of Gram-negative bacteria, plays a central role in bacterial membrane integrity and host immune interactions. Despite extensive studies on the regulation of LPS synthesis, methods to quantify its synthesis rate remain limited. Here, we present a novel approach to measure in vivo LPS synthesis rates in E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 using click chemistry. This method involves the incorporation of an exogenous Kdo analog, 8-azido-3,8-dideoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo-N3), into newly synthesized LPS, followed by a copper-free click reaction with a fluorescent alkyne (AZDye 488 DBCO). The labeled LPS is separated by SDS-PAGE and visualized via in-gel fluorescence. We optimized the labeling conditions by testing different incubation times for Kdo-N3 and AZDye 488 DBCO, ultimately identifying a 10-minute Kdo-N3 incubation and 30-minute AZDye 488 DBCO labeling as optimal for quantifying LPS synthesis. Our results demonstrate that the amount of newly synthesized LPS correlates linearly with incubation time, particularly during the log phase of bacterial growth. This method offers a reliable, non-radioactive approach for measuring LPS synthesis in real-time, providing valuable insights into bacterial physiology and the regulation of LPS biogenesis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Xiaohong Qian

  Beijing Proteome Research Center

  21 shared

• Wantao Ying

  Beijing Proteome Research Center

  19 shared

• Wei Jia

  Beijing Jishuitan Hospital

  15 shared

• Tom A. Rapoport

  Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  10 shared

• Hongwei Deng

  First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College

  10 shared

• Liwen Li

  Tulane University

  10 shared

• Xing Wang

  Capital Medical University

  10 shared

• Yun Cai

  Chinese PLA General Hospital

  10 shared

Labs

• The Mi LabPI

  Kuldeepkumar Gupta, research associate 7/2023 – 12/2023, current position: research associate in Dr. Hualiang Pi’s lab at YaleAdriana Zuniga, lab manager 2019/4

Education

• Ph.D., Structural Biology

  Peking University