Our dynamic research team is dedicated to understanding our immune responses at mucosal surfaces. Mucosal immune responses protect us against invading pathogens and environmental irritants but also tolerate and are shaped by our commensal microbiota - billions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses living within us. Our research team is particularly interested in B cells that reside in mucosal tissues and the antibodies they produce that end up at mucosal surfaces, interacting with both pathogens and microbiota. Specifically, we are focused on understanding immunoglobulin A (IgA) in all of its forms (monomers, dimers, and secretory) and are designing and testing therapeutic strategies that boost IgA antibodies at mucosal surfaces to inhibit virus replication and transmission, stabilize the microbiota, or all the above!
Moms and babies: As a research team, we have a specific interest in the immune responses of moms and babies. We are working to understand better how maternal B cells and antibodies shape maternal and neonatal immune responses. Specifically, we are interested in the mucosal-mammary gland axis where plasma cells (mostly IgA) from mom’s mucosal tissues migrate to the mammary gland to secrete antibodies in milk. This evolutionary cross-talk allows antibacterial and antiviral antibodies that function in mom to contribute to protection and immune development in the suckling infant. Current projects in our lab involve designing immunization strategies that boost breast milk immunity against many viruses, including influenza viruses, rotaviruses, and norovirus. We are using single-cell technologies, animal models, and human clinical samples to accomplish this.
Our lab is currently focused on four main areas
- Maternal immunization and lactogenic immunity
- Mechanisms of maternal antibody interference
- Mucosal immunization and airborne transmission of respiratory viruses
- Mucosal antibody immunobiology
Research Information
Research Interests
Mucosal immune protection against infectious diseases, particularly in women and children.
Research Projects
Maternal immunization and lactogenic immunity
Mechanisms of maternal antibody interference
Mucosal immunization and airborne transmission of respiratory viruses
Mucosal antibody immunobiology in the female reproductive tract
Awards and Honors
Professional Memberships
Education
Additional Information
Personal Statement
I have studied mucosal antibody responses for 10 years, and have developed an interdisciplinary combination of knowledge, experience, and skill for assessing antibody function during different disease states. My graduate work in the laboratory of Dr. Linda Saif, member of the National Academy of Sciences, provided me with strong training in mucosal viral immunology. Specifically, I studied the mucosal immune response to a novel enteric coronavirus in pregnant and lactating swine. I discovered the role of intestinal IgA plasma cells that traffic to the mammary gland and secrete IgA into breast milk and protect neonates against coronavirus challenge. Additionally, I worked extensively with gnotobiotic piglets to study the role of probiotic bacteria in immunomodulation of the intestinal antibody response against rotavirus immunization and infection.
My research during my postdoctoral training in Dr. Sallie Permar’s lab at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute further expanded my knowledge of the biology of IgA antibodies, the most dominant antibody at most mucosal surfaces. I engineered dimeric IgA monoclonal antibodies that could passively transfer into the breast milk of lactating mice and protect against rotavirus disease in suckling neonates. My background studying mucosal antibody responses led to a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant (PI: S. Langel) to study mucosal immunization strategies to generate neutralizing antibodies at mucosal surfaces that protect against influenza or SARS-CoV-2. During this time, I transitioned to a Medical Instructor (non-tenure track faculty) position within the lab of Dr. Georgia Tomaras. Within the Tomaras lab, I was integrated into her influenza team (funded by the Duke Center for Influenza Vaccinate Innovation Center) where we optimized and validated antigen binding, hemagglutinin inhibition and microneutralization assays for the detection of anti-influenza antibodies.
Throughout my graduate and postgraduate years, I have developed a strong background in virology, mucosal immunology, and infectious diseases. I have demonstrated an ability to optimize and validate assays for the functional characterization of antibodies against multiple pathogens. These experiences reflect the work my lab is currently doing to better understand B cell and antibody biology at mucosal surfaces. My background studying antibody function during multiple different disease states makes my lab uniquely capable to explore mucosal immunity to viral infections at the maternal/neonatal interface and in the female reproductive tract.