Overview
The lab started with our discovery of the lymphoid chemokines, which regulate the migration of lymphocytes and dendritic cells to and within secondary lymphoid organs. We identified the chemokine (CCL21) that mediates the entry of naïve T cells and activated dendritic cells into lymph nodes and the chemokine (CXCL13) that mediates the entry of B cells into lymphoid follicles. Our focus then shifted to understanding how specific cell types, primarily dendritic cells, and cell migration events regulate immune responses. We identified murine plasmacytoid dendritic cells; the cell type that causes pulmonary immune pathology during influenza infection; the dendritic cell type that stimulates Th1 immune responses; the cell type that induces neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease, and the macrophage type that stimulates pulmonary hypertension. Our current work continues these basic studies while applying our findings to models of human disease.
Current Research
Development of recombinant antibodies as diagnostic reagents – Our lab has developed novel methods to generate recombinant single chain antibodies using phage display technology. We are currently using these methods to generate pathogen-specific antibodies for use in diagnostic tests for a variety of human bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. In collaboration with Duke Biomedical Engineering, we are deploying our antibodies in a novel diagnostic assay platform to develop point-of-care assays for the diagnosis of a variety of emerging pathogens. Our recently developed point-of-care assay for Ebola virus displays a sensitivity superior to PCR at a fraction of the per assay cost.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Figure S6 from Peripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T
Other · April 3, 2025 <p>Related to Figure 4</p> ... Full text CiteFigure S1 from Peripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T
Other · April 3, 2025 <p>Consort diagram</p> ... Full text CiteFigure S2 from Peripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T
Other · April 3, 2025 <p>Related to Figure 2</p> ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2029Clinical Neuroimmunology of CCL3 in Brain Tumors
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029Determining the Role of Spp1+ Macrophages in Muscle Regeneration in Peripheral Arterial Disease
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027View All Grants