Hans Cheng
Adjunct Faculty and USDA, ARS Supervisory Research Geneticist

B.S., 1983, Michigan State University Ph.D., 1988, University of California at Berkeley Postdoctoal Fellow, 1988-1990, University of California at Davis E-mail: hcheng@msu.edu Telephone: (517) 337-6758

My laboratory uses genomic and proteomic approaches to identifying and functionally characterize genes of agricultural importance in chicken, especially with regard to resistance to Marek's disease (a herpesvirus-induced T cell cancer) and production traits (e.g., growth rate, egg production). Specifically, in collaboration with Jerry Dodgson (MSU, Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics), we are leading the U.S. effort to build genetic, physical and comparative maps of the chicken genome. These modern DNA-based maps are then applied to genetic crosses between defined lines to reveal quantitative trait loci (QTL) or regions in the chicken genome that contain one or more genes that control our trait of interest. These efforts are complemented by immunological assays, DNA microarrays (a new technique that measures the expression level of thousands of genes simultaneously), and virus-host protein interactions to identify potential candidate genes for the QTL, determine the biological function, as well as to reveal pathways of Marek's disease resistance.

We also study variation among Marek's disease virus strains using DNA microarrays, gene knockouts (e.g., defined recombinant viruses) and other high throughput systems. These studies are enlightening as they help us to understand which viral genes are recognized by the chicken immune system and are important for disease resistance.

Our lab is one of eight groups in the Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, and we all share a common research goal. Thus, with our unique collection of inbred chickens lines and virus strains, we have a well-equipped multidisciplinary effort with expertise in molecular virology, pathology, immunology, and genetics to understand viral-induced cancers of the chicken.

Selected Publications:
Warren, W.C., et al. A physical map of the chicken genome. Nature, accepted.

Niikura, M., Liu, H.-C., Dodgson, J.B., and Cheng, H.H. 2004. A comprehensive screen for chicken proteins that interact with proteins unique to virulent strains of Marek's disease virus. Poultry Science 83:1117-1123.

Liu, H.C., Niikura, M., Fulton, J., and Cheng, H.H. 2003. Identification of chicken stem lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus E (LY6E, alias SCA2) as a putative Marek's disease resistance gene via a virus-host protein interaction screen. Cytogen. Genome Res. 102:304-308.

Cheng, H.H. Molecular genetic techniques for identifying disease resistance genes. 2003. In Poultry Breeding and Biotechnology. W. Muir and S. Aggrey, eds. (CABI Publishing), pp. 385-398

Lipkin, E., Fulton, J., Cheng, H., Yonash, N. and Soller, M. 2002. Quantitative trait locus mapping in chickens by selective DNA pooling and dinucleotide microsatellite markers by using purfied DNA and fresh or frozen red blood cells as applied to marker-assisted selection. Poultry Sci. 81:283-292.

Liu, H.-C., Cheng, H.H., Softer, L. and Burnside, J. 2001. A strategy to identify positional candidate genes conferring Marek's disease resistant by integrating DNA microarrays and genetic mapping. Anim. Genet. 32:351-359.

Liu, H.-C., Kung, H.-J., Fulton, J.E., Morgan, R.W., and Cheng, H.H. 2001. Growth hormone interacts with the Marek's disease virus SORF2 protein and is associated with disease resistance in chicken. PNAS 98:9203-9208.

Suchyta, S.P., Cheng, H.H., Burnside, J., and Dodgson, J.B. 2001. Comparative mapping of chicken anchor loci orthologous to genes on human chromosomes 1, 4 and 9. Animal Genetics 32:12-18.

Bacon, L.D., Hunt, H.D., and Cheng, H.H. 2000. A review of the development of chicken lines to resolve genes determining resistance to diseases. Poultry Sci. 79:1082-1093.

Groenen, M.A.M, Cheng, H.H., Bumstead, N., et al. 2000. A consensus linkage map of the chicken genome. Genome Research 10:137-147.

Yonash, N., Bacon, L.D., Witter, R.L., and Cheng, H.H. 1999. Higher resolution mapping and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting susceptibility to Marek's disease. Animal Genetics 30:126-135.

Vallejo, R.L., Bacon, L.D., Liu, H.-C., Witter, R.L., Groenen, M.A.M., Hillel, J., and Cheng, H.H. 1998. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting susceptibility to Marek's disease virus induced tumors in F2 intercross chickens. Genetics 148:349-360.

Other Publications