Faculty

Research Interests: My group is interested in defining mechanisms that mediate homeostasis between host and microbes at mucosal surfaces. With a main focus on the gastrointestinal tract, our research seeks to provide a better understanding of numerous human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, infectious enteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis and others.

Research Interests: The Baumgarth Lab investigates the signals that drive a protective B cell response to influenza infection and how these responses might be derailed during infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme Disease agent. We are interested also in understanding the development, role, and function of B-1 cells in infectious immunity and how natural IgM regulates the adaptive immune response.

Research Interests: We are studying the molecular mechanisms that determine the host range and virulence of viruses by analyzing the interactions of viruses with the host innate immune system. Our long-term goal is to better predict the emergence and threats of newly evolving viruses.

Research Interests: Post-translational modification of proteins, particularly tyrosine sulfation. Proteins of interest include glycoprotein viral coats, ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, and G-coupled protein receptors. Collaboration with laboratories which can validate predictions.

Research Interests: My research is focused on understanding the role of the nervous system and neurotransmitters in the modulation of the immune system and inflammation.

Research Interests: Inflammatory neurological disorders, innate immunity responses within the CNS and how these affect the disease course. Local immune responses in the skin and their effects on injury.

Research Interests: Our lab focuses on a better understanding of the control of antibody by investigating transcription factor activity and the architecture of gene regulatory networks in which they are embedded.

Research Interests: Our focus is the identification of genes of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii that modulate the host cell and/or determine virulence, host genes and pathways that determine resistance/susceptibility, and to characterize their specific interactions.

Research Interests: My laboratory studies cell-mediated immune responses to HIV-1 and other viruses in mucosal tissues, and immune cell trafficking to the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts and the central nervous system. Current projects focus on mucosa-associated invariant T-cells (MAIT cells), Tissue-Resident T-cells, and the functionality of cytotoxic T-cells.

Research Interests: Inflammation in response to acute infection (Staphaureus and MRSA) and chronic disease (Atherosclerosis). Innate immunity of host response. In particular, how neutrophils and monocytes travel from blood out into tissue where they fight infections but can also contribute to disease.