My laboratory studies how cells and antigens come together to generate immune responses. This involves deciphering the cues that guide immune cell movements within, and egress from, lymphoid organs. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a major class of chemoattractant receptor on immune cells and using gain- and loss-of function approaches they have identified roles for several GPCRs that respond to protein (chemokine) and lipid ligands and defined how these responses adapt after exposure to antigen or inflammatory inputs. We have shown that lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs is mediated by S1PR1 and defined enzymatic mechanisms acting to maintain high S1P levels at egress sites. We use intravital 2-photon microscopy approaches to study immune cell migration. We have a strong interest in understanding how cell interaction dynamics influence the selection events underlying antibody affinity maturation. We are also exploring requirements for barrier immunity at epithelial surfaces.
Awards and Achievements
- Elected to the National Academy of Science ( 2014)