Immunogenomics

We utilize genomics and orthogonal high dimensional approaches to elucidate the cells and molecular circuits that control immune homeostasis in health and disease.

  • In the lymphocytic-variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome, there is an abnormal T cell population that overproduces eosinophil-promoting cytokines. We performed the first genomic analyses of these cells.
  • We identified a novel mutation in STAT3 that promotes Th2 inflammation in hypereosinophilic syndrome. This has been leveraged to initiate clinical studies evaluating on-target pathway inhibitors.

  • By studying human disease, we find new immune cells in the skin.
  • We set out to study primary cutaneous gamma delta T cell lymphomas, a deadly but poorly understood cancer of the skin-homing gamma delta T cell. Using -omics, we identify the molecular basis underlying disease heterogeneity. Surprisingly, we found that there are two cells of origin. Differences in these cells of origin contribute to cellular, transcriptional, and phenotypic heterogeneity!
  • coming soon:
    • T cells acquire diverse specialized functions tailored to fight off specific classes of microbes. T cell differentiation is a highly regulated process because defects can lead to compromised host immunity or autoimmune disease.
    • Serendipitously, we find new regulators of T cell lineage commitment!