Gene Therapy and Autoimmunity
Our laboratory is interested in gene therapy and autoimmunity. That
is, we investigate the immune system’s attack on the body’s tissues as
it occurs during the rejection of organ grafts and in autoimmune
disorders like type I diabetes where the insulin-producing beta cells
are destroyed. Approaches include examining factors that regulate the
immune attack on our own cells and investigating the molecular changes
that occur in the tissue being attacked in the hope of, one day, being
able to genetically engineer tissues that could withstand the assault.
This strategy would alleviate the need for the toxic immunosuppressive
drugs currently required to promote successful organ transplantation
and, in the case of type 1 diabetes, enable creation of a
‘death-defying’ beta cell as a novel cure.
Staff
Eliana Marino |
Stacey Walters |
David Liuwantara |
Anita Weinberg |
Bernice Tan |
Jeanette Villanueva |
Rachel Ng |
