Research in the area of immunology in the department focuses on the response of the immune system to bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens. Topics of research interest in the area of immunology include vaccine development for
Brucella infection, antibody mediated protection to Bartonella infection, characterization of the host T cell response to nematode infection, analysis of the innate immune response to murine retrovirus infection of the central nervous and cardiac systems and the pathogenesis of simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macrophages in the enteric and central nervous system. Supporting facilities for immunology research include the Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Center, the departmental Flow Cytometry Facility which includes both FACscan and FACS Aria instruments, and a centralized cell and tissue culture laboratory.
Faculty:
T. Klei, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Research. Interaction between nematode parasites and their hosts particularly as this pertains to models of lymphatic Filariasis and equine gastrointestinal parasites. Mechanisms of parasite establishment, pathogenesis and immunity are being studied at the animal and molecular levels.
P. Elzer, Ph.D., Professor. Bacterial pathogenesis focusing on host-parasite interactions and immunity of Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis
J. Miller, Ph.D., Professor. Evaluate the genetic and immunological basis for breed resistant to gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep. Evaluate novel (non-chemical) approaches for protection against nematode infection in small ruminants in conjunction with strategic use of anthelmintics.
F. Liang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Pathogenesis of Borrelia burgdorferi, down-regulation of antibody-targeted antigens and the up-regulation of non-targeted surface antigens
M. Orandle, D.V.M, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Neural mechanisms of AIDS wasting in the SIV-infected macaque model of HIV/AIDS. Determine the efficacy of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins," as potential therapeutic agents for AIDS dementia.
Adjunct Faculty:
S. Cormier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Immunological aspects of lung injury by environmental and viral causes.
H. Hale-Donze, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Synergistic relationships between human immunodeficiency virus and other opportunistic pathogens.
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