Dr. Marcus Clark studies the biology of B lymphocytes. B cells express a surface receptor (BCR) that recognizes circulating antigens. When engaged, this receptor triggers a complex cascade of signaling events that vary depending on the stage of B cell development and differentiation. Dr. Clark’s laboratory is pursuing several lines of investigation: the identification of the proximal biochemical signals generated by the BCR; the role of Ig? and Ig?, 2 molecules associated with the BCR, during B cell development and B cell activation; the molecular mechanisms of BCR internalization and intracellular trafficking after antigen engagement. These avenues of research are important for understanding how tolerance is maintained and autoimmunity is prevented.

Dr. Maria-Luisa Alegre focuses on mechanisms of inactivation of T lymphocytes. Several mechanisms are in place to prevent T cells from reacting to self-antigens and triggering autoimmunity. These include deletion of the majority of auto-reactive T cells during T cell development in the thymus, and death or inactivation of the remaining autoreactive T cells when they start circulating in the body. Dr. Alegre’s laboratory studies these peripheral mechanisms of tolerance, as it may be possible to inactivate T cells to prevent or treat autoimmunity or transplant rejection. Dr. Alegre’s laboratory studies include the biochemical signals and function triggered by engagement of surface molecules, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1 that normally stop an immune response after elimination of the antigen; the biochemical signals within T cells that are necessary to reject a transplanted organ or to develop an autoimmune disease. To this end, the laboratory possesses several mouse models of autoimmune diseases, as well as of skin, cardiac and pancreatic islet transplantation.

Dr. Fontini Gounari is interested in signal transduction pathways that are involved in the development of hematopoietic stem cells into the T-cell lineage and deregulations that lead to leukemia. A major focus of research is the pre-T-Cell Receptor, that triggers the expansion and differentiation of immature thymocytes. Her work has demonstrated a cross talk of preTCR signaling with the Wnt/beta-catenin and Notch cascades. Both Wnt/beta-catenin and Notch have been directly linked with human cancer. Dr. Gounari is currently studying the physiological versus pathological interactions of these pathways in developing versus transformed thymocytes.

Dr. Haochu Huang is interested in the roles of autoreactive B cells and the regulation of B cell tolerance and autoantibody production in autoimmune diseases. Current areas of interest include studying the interplay between autoreactive T and B cells, differentiation of plasma cells, influence of genetic background on B cell tolerance and the signaling pathways in B cells leading to tolerance.

Dr. Timothy Niewold is interested in the genetics of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. He is also interested in the role of type I interferon and other cytokines in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Tammy Utset performs clinical research in the area of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. She has an interest in work disability in SLE, barriers to exercise, quality of life, health disparities in SLE. She maintains a broad clinical SLE database and a large clinical practice in SLE for academic research and clinical trials, and has mentored numerous Fellows interested in clinical research projects. She also collaborates with numerous basic immunologists in translational research projects in SLE.

Dr. Nadera Sweiss is active in clinical research in both Sarcoidosis and Scleroderma. She has clinical trials and performs clinical academic research in both these disease areas, and follows a large Scleroderma clinic population.

Dr. Saima Chohan and Dr. Michael Becker have a specialty interest in gout, and have a weekly gout clinic. They have ongoing clinical trials of novel therapies for gout. Dr. Becker is world-renown for his research on purine metabolism and expertise in clinical gout research, and is a highly experienced mentor.