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Wei Mi

Associate Professor of Pharmacology
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About

Titles

Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Biography

Wei Mi is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine with secondary appointments in the Departments of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and Microbial Pathogenesis. The Mi Laboratory seeks to understand how Gram-negative bacteria build, sense, and remodel their cell envelope, and to translate these discoveries into next-generation antibiotics. Our research is driven by biological questions rather than any single technique. We integrate structural biology, bacterial genetics, quantitative biochemistry, molecular simulations, chemical biology, and AI-assisted drug development, using the tools best suited to answer important biological questions. Our research spans fundamental biology, interdisciplinary science, and antibiotic discovery. By uncovering the molecular principles that govern bacterial cell-envelope homeostasis, we aim not only to reveal new biological mechanisms but also to develop innovative therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Training the next generation of scientists is one of my highest priorities. I strive to create a collaborative and supportive environment where trainees develop scientific independence, critical thinking, and the confidence to pursue ambitious questions. Please visit the Mi Laboratory website to learn more.

Last Updated on July 17, 2026.

Appointments

Education & Training

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Harvard Medical School (2018)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
the University of Washington (2014)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Purdue University (2012)
PhD
Peking University (2008)

Research

Overview

Gram-negative bacteria are protected by a highly specialized cell envelope that acts as one of nature's most effective permeability barriers, making these pathogens particularly difficult to treat with antibiotics. The Mi Laboratory seeks to understand how bacteria build, sense, and remodel their cell envelope, with a particular focus on the synthesis and regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to translate these discoveries into next-generation antibiotics.

Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that govern bacterial cell-envelope homeostasis. We investigate how bacteria coordinate LPS biosynthesis with cell-envelope assembly, monitor envelope integrity, and adapt to environmental challenges. By uncovering these fundamental biological principles, we aim to reveal new mechanisms of bacterial regulation and identify new opportunities for antibiotic discovery.

Our work connects molecular structures with biological function. By integrating discoveries across multiple levels—from molecular mechanisms to bacterial physiology—we seek to uncover fundamental principles of bacterial biology and translate them into innovative therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant pathogens.


Medical Research Interests

Cryoelectron Microscopy; Drug Design; Lipid Bilayers; Lipopolysaccharides; Membrane Proteins; Phospholipids

Research at a Glance

Publications Timeline

A big-picture view of Wei Mi's research output by year.

Publications

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2020

2018

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

Honors

  • honor

    the Odyssey Award

  • honor

    Dorsett L. Spurgeon Distinguished Research Award

  • honor

    Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Award

  • honor

    Mercedes-Benz Shujuan Scholarship

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