The study of recycling endosomes in innate immune cells

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Immune cells produce factors that have a profound effect on their surroundings. There are many types of immune cells that are important in regulating the immune system's response to outside triggers, such as bacteria and viruses. There are special factors that have a particularly important role in immunity, known as cytokines. Our studies are focused on the mechanisms that regulate the release of cytokines from immune cells. We have exciting new findings showing that immune cells secrete cytokines through a specialized mechanism, through recycling endosomes, that can be analyzed using cutting edge molecular biology and cell imaging techniques. The proposed study will reveal the precise molecular mechanisms that govern the release of potent regulatory cytokines. Students and trainees will have the opportunity to acquire new skills in molecular biology and microscopy to delve into the inner workings of immune cells and how they elaborate cytokines.