Innate Immunity

Research Interests: The Link Laboratory studies how nutrition, the microbiome, and genetic diversity shape the immune system in both health and chronic inflammatory disease. Using a combination of mouse models and human patient samples, we investigate how these factors influence immune function at multiple levels starting from the overall immune responses all the way to exploring the underlying transcriptional and epigenetic programs. To achieve this, we integrate advanced bulk and single-cell multi-omics approaches with cutting-edge computational analyses.

Research Interests: I run clinical trials and an R01 funded basic science lab investigating cancer immunology. I have three overlapping areas of research focus: 1) Mechanisms of resistance to cancer immunotherapy and how to overcome them. 2) Immune modulatory effects of radiotherapy. 3) Influence of obesity and aging on the immune system and how this influences cancer development, progression, and treatment response.

Research Interests: My lab studies the systemic and local of effects of polytrauma on fracture repair with the clinical goal of improving osseous healing in these patients as polytrauma is an independent risk factor for fracture nonunion. We focus on how severe trauma alters the local fracture immune response initially and the longitudinal effects, focusing on the innate and adaptive immune alterations respectively. We use this information to develop therapeutic targets and immunomodulatory treatments.

Dr. Hurrell’s lab explores the dynamic interplay between nutrition, metabolism, and immune regulation, focusing on how specific nutrients and metabolic pathways influence the development and function of immune cells in both health and disease, particularly asthma and allergy. Utilizing a variety of cutting-edge mouse models, including genetically engineered strains, specialized diets and established asthma models, his team investigates the impact of dietary factors on immune responses and asthma pathogenesis. By applying techniques such as flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to profile immune cell populations and their metabolic states, the lab aims to identify innovative dietary strategies that can modulate immune function and improve lung health.

Research Interests: We have long appreciated the role that neutrophils play as first responders of the immune system during microbial infections. New evidence is emerging on the transcriptomic and phenotypic diversity of this highly abundant circulating white blood cell. In the Diaz-Ochoa lab we combine classical immunological techniques with a systems approach to gain mechanistic insights on the contributions of neutrophil diversity in host responses to bacterial infections.

Research Interests: As a cellular microbiologist, my research focuses on leveraging insights from pathogen studies to deepen our understanding of host cellular processes. My lab's primary aim is to uncover the virulence mechanisms driving Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis in wound infections, as well as the eukaryotic host responses designed to control these infections. We also utilize bacterial toxins as molecular tools to explore key mammalian cellular processes, including cell cycle regulation, cytokinesis, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and apoptotic compensatory proliferation signaling. A particular area of interest for us is the innate immune dysregulation that makes diabetic wounds susceptible to infection and impairs healing. In addition, we have identified critical innate immune pathways that recognize P. aeruginosa and investigated how this pathogen suppresses these immune responses. Additionally, we explore the use of immunomodulators to enhance innate immune responses as a strategy for combating infections at surgical sites.