
Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
Institute for Applied Life Sciences
S521 Life Science Laboratories
240 Thatcher Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9292
(413) 545-0673
wcui@umass.edu
www.umass.edu/veterinary-animal-sciences/about/directory/wei-cui
Director of Animal Models
Extension Associate Professor of Veterinary & Animal Science
Research areas include mammalian oocyte maturation and activation, preimplantation embryo development, micromanipulation and animal model generation.
Current Research
Current research in my laboratory aims at: 1) understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian oocyte meiosis, activation, and aging; 2) discovering novel genes, factors, and signaling pathways that are functionally required during mammalian preimplantation embryo development; 3) creating animal models of human genetic diseases using knock-out, knock-in, and transgenesis strategies.
Animal Models core facility provides transgenic, gene targeting, and other services to the research community. The core performs microinjections of DNA into fertilized embryos to generate transgenic mice. Uses cutting-edge technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, to generate gene knock-out or knock-in mice or other animal models. In addition, provides mouse surgery service and training, such as patient-derived xenograft (PDX), tail vein injection, and catheterization. The core is able to customize services as requested to support development of animal models of human diseases in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Academic Background
Postdoctoral Training, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2014-2017
Postdoctoral Training, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2013-2014
Ph of D, Shandong Agricultural University, China, 2013