MMI Faculty
Bennett, Richard
Assistant Professor of Biology
My laboratory is interested in understanding the biology of the human pathogen Candida albicans. C. albicans is a yeast that grows in the human gastrointestinal tract and is usually harmless to humans. However, in some cases, Candida can cause localized infections in healthy individuals and even life-threatening systemic (bloodstream) infections in immunocompromised individuals. The focus of the laboratory is to understand how Candida acts as a pathogen in humans.
Richard_Bennett@brown.edu
Assistant Professor of Biology
My laboratory is interested in understanding the biology of the human pathogen Candida albicans. C. albicans is a yeast that grows in the human gastrointestinal tract and is usually harmless to humans. However, in some cases, Candida can cause localized infections in healthy individuals and even life-threatening systemic (bloodstream) infections in immunocompromised individuals. The focus of the laboratory is to understand how Candida acts as a pathogen in humans.
Richard_Bennett@brown.edu
Biron, Christine
Esther Elizabeth Brintzenhoff Professor
Research in Professor Biron's laboratory is directed at understanding the cellular and cytokine mechanisms regulating immune defenses. There is a particular interest in the responses to acute viral infections and links between innate and adaptive immunity. Basic pathways regulating natural killer (NK) and T cells are being defined. Focus includes regulation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs).
Christine_Biron@Brown.EDU
Esther Elizabeth Brintzenhoff Professor
Research in Professor Biron's laboratory is directed at understanding the cellular and cytokine mechanisms regulating immune defenses. There is a particular interest in the responses to acute viral infections and links between innate and adaptive immunity. Basic pathways regulating natural killer (NK) and T cells are being defined. Focus includes regulation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs).
Christine_Biron@Brown.EDU
Brossay, Laurent
Associate Professor
The research in our laboratory is directed at understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling the activation of both NK and NK T cells. These two subsets of cells respond quickly to a stimulus and their activation can determine the outcome of an immune response.
Laurent_Brossay@brown.edu
Associate Professor
The research in our laboratory is directed at understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling the activation of both NK and NK T cells. These two subsets of cells respond quickly to a stimulus and their activation can determine the outcome of an immune response.
Laurent_Brossay@brown.edu
Campbell, Andrew G.
Associate Professor
The research program of the lab involves understanding the fundamental structure and function relationships of RNases H with the long term goals of a) unmasking novel nucleic acid metabolic functions associated with the enzymes and b) understanding their placement in the replicative life cycle of the pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Trypanosomes are amongst the earliest branching eukaryotes and are the models in which RNA editing and trans-splicing were initially discovered. Accordingly, they are well suited for our studies.
Andrew_Campbell@Brown.EDU
Associate Professor
The research program of the lab involves understanding the fundamental structure and function relationships of RNases H with the long term goals of a) unmasking novel nucleic acid metabolic functions associated with the enzymes and b) understanding their placement in the replicative life cycle of the pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Trypanosomes are amongst the earliest branching eukaryotes and are the models in which RNA editing and trans-splicing were initially discovered. Accordingly, they are well suited for our studies.
Andrew_Campbell@Brown.EDU
Chu, Wen-Ming
Assistant Professor of Mole Micro & Immunology (Research)
Research interests include molecular virology, bacterial pathogenesis, innate and cancer immunity, signal transduction, cell growth and apoptosis, tumor suppresser, transcription and molecular bases of human diseases.
Wen-Ming_Chu@Brown.EDU
Assistant Professor of Mole Micro & Immunology (Research)
Research interests include molecular virology, bacterial pathogenesis, innate and cancer immunity, signal transduction, cell growth and apoptosis, tumor suppresser, transcription and molecular bases of human diseases.
Wen-Ming_Chu@Brown.EDU
Gil, M. Pilar
Instructor in Medical Science (Research)
Research focuses on examining the endogenous regulation of type 1 interferons (interferons alpha and beta) effects on CD8 T cells after virus infection and how the natural modulation of the STAT1 protein levels shapes downstream consequences of exposure to these cytokines. Studies provide evidence that the host directs the consequences of IFN exposure by modifying access to intracellular signaling pathways.
M_Pilar_Gil@Brown.EDU
Instructor in Medical Science (Research)
Research focuses on examining the endogenous regulation of type 1 interferons (interferons alpha and beta) effects on CD8 T cells after virus infection and how the natural modulation of the STAT1 protein levels shapes downstream consequences of exposure to these cytokines. Studies provide evidence that the host directs the consequences of IFN exposure by modifying access to intracellular signaling pathways.
M_Pilar_Gil@Brown.EDU
Harling-Berg, Christine
Visiting Scientist
The goal of my research has been to understand how the immune system communicates with the brain. This is important in elucidating diseases, such as brain cancers, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders (Tourettes syndrome) and possibly autism. It was once thought that the brain's immune protection was passive. It is now clear that the immune response to antigen in the brain is actively regulated. The brain's "choice" for immune protection appears to be the antibody response, since it poses less risk of damage to the brain's cellular architecture than that of cellular immune responses.
Christine_Harling-Berg@Brown.EDU
Visiting Scientist
The goal of my research has been to understand how the immune system communicates with the brain. This is important in elucidating diseases, such as brain cancers, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders (Tourettes syndrome) and possibly autism. It was once thought that the brain's immune protection was passive. It is now clear that the immune response to antigen in the brain is actively regulated. The brain's "choice" for immune protection appears to be the antibody response, since it poses less risk of damage to the brain's cellular architecture than that of cellular immune responses.
Christine_Harling-Berg@Brown.EDU
Knopf, Paul M.
Charles A. and Helen B. Stuart Professor Emeritus of Medical Science
Prof. Knopf's career interest has been in protein biosynthesis, initially in general but primarily in immunoglobulins and their role as antibodies in humoral immune reponses. Since joining the Brown faculty, he has studied protective antibody responses to worm and protozoan parasitic infections (vaccine development against schistosomiasis and malaria), responses to antigens in the brain (autoimmunity), and most recently the role of complement C3d in the induction of the T-dependent antibody response.
Paul_Knopf@Brown.edu
Charles A. and Helen B. Stuart Professor Emeritus of Medical Science
Prof. Knopf's career interest has been in protein biosynthesis, initially in general but primarily in immunoglobulins and their role as antibodies in humoral immune reponses. Since joining the Brown faculty, he has studied protective antibody responses to worm and protozoan parasitic infections (vaccine development against schistosomiasis and malaria), responses to antigens in the brain (autoimmunity), and most recently the role of complement C3d in the induction of the T-dependent antibody response.
Paul_Knopf@Brown.edu
Lederberg, Seymour
Professor Emeritus of Biology and Medical Science
Oxidative stress may interfere with the stability & activity of a microbial pathogen's protein and lipid complexes critical for their membrane integrity, respiration, protein & nucleic acid synthesis, & ability to invade and multiply in our tissues. My interests lie in increasing our understanding of the details of oxidative stress and its mitigation by successful pathogens so we can better protect ourselves against infectious agents transmitted through water, air supplies & contact exposure.
Seymour_Lederberg@Brown.EDU
Professor Emeritus of Biology and Medical Science
Oxidative stress may interfere with the stability & activity of a microbial pathogen's protein and lipid complexes critical for their membrane integrity, respiration, protein & nucleic acid synthesis, & ability to invade and multiply in our tissues. My interests lie in increasing our understanding of the details of oxidative stress and its mitigation by successful pathogens so we can better protect ourselves against infectious agents transmitted through water, air supplies & contact exposure.
Seymour_Lederberg@Brown.EDU
Salazar Mather, Thais
Assistant Professor
Our laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate the directed migration of immune cells into tissue compartments during viral infection. Thus, the interactions between cytokines and chemotactic proteins or chemokines are being evaluated. We have identified novel chemokine-dependent mechanisms for innate and adaptive immune cell trafficking to the liver. Additionally, antiviral events mediated by chemokines are being evaluated. These studies will yield significant novel information for developing antiviral and anticancer treatment protocols.
Thais_Mather@Brown.EDU
Assistant Professor
Our laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate the directed migration of immune cells into tissue compartments during viral infection. Thus, the interactions between cytokines and chemotactic proteins or chemokines are being evaluated. We have identified novel chemokine-dependent mechanisms for innate and adaptive immune cell trafficking to the liver. Additionally, antiviral events mediated by chemokines are being evaluated. These studies will yield significant novel information for developing antiviral and anticancer treatment protocols.
Thais_Mather@Brown.EDU
Shank, Peter
Professor
The laboratory has worked on the regulatory genes of the AIDS retrovirus HIV-1. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanism of action of the tat gene. This essential positive regulatory gene is unique among transcriptional activators in that the gene product interacts with an RNA structure at the end of the HIV-1 genome.
Peter_Shank@Brown.EDU
Professor
The laboratory has worked on the regulatory genes of the AIDS retrovirus HIV-1. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanism of action of the tat gene. This essential positive regulatory gene is unique among transcriptional activators in that the gene product interacts with an RNA structure at the end of the HIV-1 genome.
Peter_Shank@Brown.EDU
Wands, Jack
Professor
Jack Wands directs the Liver Research Center, a newly constructed 13,000-sq. ft. facility that emphasizes studies relating to the molecular biology of liver diseases.
Jack_Wands_MD@Brown.EDU
Professor
Jack Wands directs the Liver Research Center, a newly constructed 13,000-sq. ft. facility that emphasizes studies relating to the molecular biology of liver diseases.
Jack_Wands_MD@Brown.EDU