Jorn Coers

Infectious diseases remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. The Coers lab seeks to understand fundamental aspects of the immune response to microbes as well as the corresponding immune evasion strategies evolved by human pathogens to undermine immunity and establish infections. Defining human immunity and microbial counter-immunity pathways on a molecular level will provide roadmaps for the rational design of novel antimicrobial therapies and improved vaccine strategies against human pathogens such as the enteric bacterial pathogen Shigella or the sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen Chlamydia.

In addition to making major inroads in the fields of immunity, inflammation and microbial pathogenesis, our second, but equally important goal, is to train the next generation of scientists in an environment that prioritizes excellence, research integrity, learning opportunities, and teamwork. We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, openness, collegiality, integrity and, last but not least, fun, which promotes and awards curiosity and fosters collaborations.