Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an innate-like T cell subset important in the early response to bacterial and viral lung pathogens. Upon activation, MAIT [...]

This dissertation characterizes cross-reactive immunity to emerging alpahviruses such as chikungunya virus in the context of infection or vaccination, in various models.

This work explores immunity induced by the yellow fever vaccine, 17D, efficacy. First, we provide a comprehensive review of breakthrough yellow fever infection. Next, we [...]

In this dissertation I explore applications of antibodies and alpaca-derived antibody fragments, known as VHHs, to understand severe acute respiratory associated coronavi [...]

Legionella pneumophila is a pathogenic organism ubiquitous in aqueous environments and the causative agent of Legionnaire's disease, a severe infection affecting the lung [...]

Interferon regulatory factor 6 plays a significant role in the regulation of intestinal epithelial cell identity, interferon response, and apoptosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating illness. In the search for novel anti-TB therapies, there is growing interest in host-directed therapy (HDT), which seeks to synergize [...]

Dendritic cells (DC) are mediators between innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens and tumors. DC development is determined by signaling through the receptor ty [...]

While it is becoming more appreciated that non-hematopoietic cells within barrier tissues participate in and modulate the host immune response, their roles are still inco [...]

Here, I present a comprehensive assay termed UbiReal for monitoring each step of the Ub signaling cascade, including linkage-specific polyUb ligation and deubiquitination [...]