Pathology & Immunology

The overarching goal of my research program is to develop a mechanistic understanding of host-pathogen interactions with biological consequences to pathogenesis. These interactions promote host immune suppression and enhance pathogen replication in cell and tissue specific manner, but remain incompletely described. Results from these studies will inform on molecular mechanisms of action during infection as well as insights into potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action. We currently use biochemical and biophysical methods to identify and characterize components from hosts and pathogens in order to develop an atomic resolution framework.

Research keywords: Host pathogen interface; viral interactions; pathogenesis

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We focus on mechanisms of CD8 T cell activation in the central nervous system (CNS), and their implications in neurodegeneration and cancer.
By studying the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 4 (ALS4), caused by a mutation in the gene SETX, we found that CD8 T cells of likely autoimmune origin are activated in the CNS and blood of patients and mice, and correlate with disease progression and resistance to glioma in mice. We want to explore:
The role of CD8 T cells in the pathogenesis of ALS, in humans and mice;
The role of SETX in T cell activation.

Research keywords: Immunology/T cells; Neurodegeneration; Cancer

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Our research focuses on how immune cells integrate multiple signals to maintain homeostasis within their resident tissues. In many cases, this molecular dialogue is initiated by epithelial cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which produce hallmark cytokines that reflect subsequent adaptive immune responses mediated by T cells. We are interested in how ILC- and T cell-derived cytokines amplify normal tissue functions to maintain organ health. We employ cutting-edge technical approaches to decode the specific signals that organize these loops in development, tissue injury, and infection to determine whether they can be manipulated to regulate barrier integrity and organ health.

Research keywords: Type 2 immunity; Cytokines; Mucosal immunology

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Our laboratory focuses on examining pathogenic events responsible for initiating the development of tissue-specific autoimmune diseases. We aim to dissect key factors involved in type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder that destroys insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreatic islets. The research projects center on 1) Identifying antigenic targets involved in disease pathogenesis using immunopeptidomics to isolate and identify peptide epitopes presented by autoimmune-predisposing MHC molecules; 2) Studying the key features of antigen-specific T cells using single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetic approaches in mice and humans; 3) Examining tissue-resident macrophages that play a critical role in shaping the incoming autoimmune responses.

Research keywords: Autoimmunity; Antigen discovery and presentation; Antigen-specific T cells and tissue-resident macrophages

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