Professor of Pathology
Location
Campus: Boston
Office: Jaharis 807
Laboratory: Jaharis 801
Contact Information
Office Phone: 617-636-6718
Lab Phone: 617-636-6736
E-mail 
Links
Research Website 
Recent Publications 
Graduate Programs
Genetics, Immunology
Research Synopsis
We are intrigued by the longstanding observation that as people age they often become more susceptible to infectious diseases. The changes in the immune system that underlie the increased susceptibility are poorly understood. We have undertaken studies that use genetic analysis to reveal the immune mechanisms that change with age. To do this we study a human pathogen which has a dramatically different course in people above and below the age of 50. We have identified a mouse strain that also shows an age-related decrease in resistance to this pathogen. We have identified chromosome regions containing genes responsible for resistance in young mice. Intriguingly, genetic studies of old mice reveal that a different set of loci contribute to resistance. We are using a combination of immunological and genetic tools to identify the contributing genes and the mechanisms that they control.
Lab Members
Chari Cortez, PhD Student in Immunology 
Sonia Laurie, PREP Scholar
Edouard Vannier, Collaborator