Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Our immune system is specialized into sensing and responding to infections and injuries. Immune cells are also equipped with sensors that monitor tissue microenvironment, such pH. Interstitial pH is often impacted by inflammatory response, injury and cancer. We are interested in dissecting how changes in pH modulate immune functions as a potential strategy to control inflammation. This project will employ cell culture, animal models and immunology experimental techniques. Students will be working closely with PI and members in the lab to design and contact experiments, analyze, summarize and present their findings. Knowledge of immunology, and prior experience of cell culture and animal models is preferred.

Although immune cells are well-known for their mobility, it's becoming clear that tissue resident immune cells, such as macrophages, are organized into unique spatial patterns within tissues. Recently, the interactions between myeloid and stromal cells are found associated with several inflammatory disorders, including Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis. We are interested in uncovering cellular mechanisms that regulate the interactions between myeloid and stromal cells, and how such organization dictates their homeostatic and inflammatory functions. This project will employ cell culture, molecular cloning, gene editing and a variety of cell biology and immunology experimental techniques. Students will be working closely with PI and members in the lab to design and contact experiments, analyze, summarize and present their findings. Knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and prior experience of cell culture is preferred.