Overview
The Hale laboratory employs techniques of cellular and molecular biology to study mechanisms responsible for the generation of both normal immune responses and immune-mediated diseases. Research in the laboratory is mainly focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an immune-mediated disorder that is hypothesized to result from the abnormal immune response of a genetically susceptible host to the antigens derived from enteric bacteria. Development of optimal treatments for disease requires a detailed understanding of mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Thus current work in the laboratory is aimed at understanding triggers of intestinal inflammation and mechanisms of inflammation-associated neoplasia, in addition to developing novel therapies for IBD treatment. Ongoing research also includes investigating mechanisms that determine the immunogenicity of oral antigens, to develop novel adjuvants for oral vaccines. This work has relevance for pathogenesis and treatment of infectious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Hale is an expert in pathologic evaluation of colitis and immunodeficiency in both humans and mice and is board-certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Dr. Hale is an expert in pathologic evaluation of colitis and immunodeficiency in both humans and mice and is board-certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Pathology
·
2021 - Present
Pathology,
Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2006 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Insulin-like growth factor 2 as a driving force for exponential expansion and differentiation of the neonatal thymus.
Journal Article Development · April 1, 2025 Like all organs, the thymus grows in size and function rapidly during development, but this growth comes to a halt after birth. However, the molecular mechanisms behind such a transition in the thymus remain obscure. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA ... Full text Link to item CiteAge-related epithelial defects limit thymic function and regeneration.
Journal Article Nat Immunol · September 2024 The thymus is essential for establishing adaptive immunity yet undergoes age-related involution that leads to compromised immune responsiveness. The thymus is also extremely sensitive to acute insult and although capable of regeneration, this capacity decl ... Full text Link to item CiteComprehensive Flow Cytometric, Immunohistologic, and Molecular Assessment of Thymus Function in Rhesus Macaques.
Journal Article Immunohorizons · July 1, 2024 The critical importance of the thymus for generating new naive T cells that protect against novel infections and are tolerant to self-antigens has led to a recent revival of interest in monitoring thymic function in species other than humans and mice. Nonh ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Tolerance to Allogeneic Hearts via Implantation of Cultured Donor Thymus
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2028Thymic and peripheral aspects of T cell aging and rejuvenation: Human Target Verification and Thymic Function Core (Core C)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Arizona · 2023 - 2028Supramolecular biomaterials for tuning the inflammatory properties of the complement system
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
1991
M.D.
Duke University ·
1990
Ph.D.
Rutgers University ·
1984
M.S.
Michigan State University ·
1980
B.S.