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Carolyn Coyne

George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Immunology
Integrative Immunobiology
3130 MSRB III, Box 3054, Durham, NC 27710
3130 MSRB III BX 3054, 3 Genome Court, Durham, NC 27710

Research Interests


We study the pathways by which microorganisms cross cellular barriers and the mechanisms by which these barriers restrict microbial infections. Our studies primarily focus on the epithelium that lines the gastrointestinal tract and on placental trophoblasts, the cells that comprise a key cellular barrier of the human placenta. Our work is highly multidisciplinary and encompasses aspects of cell biology, immunology, and microbiology. Our long-term goals are to identify pathogen- and host-specific therapeutic targets to prevent or treat microbial infections and ultimately to alleviate the morbidity and mortality caused by these infections.

Selected Grants


Interferon-inducible cell-intrinsic host defense against Chlamydia trachomatis

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2028

Microbial regulation of intestinal epithelial gene expression

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2028

Control of virus induced type I interferon signaling during pregnancy

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

Examining the role of immune activation in transposon-triggered sterility.

FellowshipCo-Sponsor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2026

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

Interferon-inducible cell-intrinsic host defense against Chlamydia trachomatis

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2028

Microbial regulation of intestinal epithelial gene expression

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2028

Control of virus induced type I interferon signaling during pregnancy

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

Examining the role of immune activation in transposon-triggered sterility.

FellowshipCo-Sponsor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2026

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

Investigating how placental trophoblasts respond to and defend against HCMV infection

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2026

Antiviral Countermeasure Development Center (AC DC)

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Emory University · 2022 - 2026

Placenta Opioid and Perinatal Implications (POPI)

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Kentucky · 2023 - 2025

Innate immune signaling in placental antiviral defenses

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2025

Genetic and Genomics Training Grant

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

Enterovirus Infection of Polarized Intestinal Cells

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021 - 2025

Basic Immunology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

Identifying and modeling immune correlates of protection against congenital CMV transmission after primary maternal infection

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Weill Cornell Medicine · 2023 - 2025

Placental resistance and response to the teratogenic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2022 - 2025

The Role of FcRn in Echovirus Entry and Pathogenesis

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2025

Viral Oncology Training Grant

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1980 - 2025

Development of vaccine platforms for echovirus-associated IBS

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Moderna Therapeutics, Inc. · 2023 - 2024

Innate Immune Regulation of Zika Virus Infection

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Washington · 2023 - 2024

External Relationships


  • Modera

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.