Stone Laboratory
A major focus of Dr.Brad Stone's laboratory is the identification of minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) targeted by donor CD8+ T-cells in graft versus host disease (GVHD) and graft versus leukemia (GVL). We are developing bioinformatics-based techniques to predict and test responses to novel mHags in leukemia patients following allogeneic stem cell transplant. Responses to candidate mHags are tested in patient samples using a high throughput ELISPOT, and confirmed by class I tetramer analysis. Mapping of the immune response to minor antigens may facilitate a more accurate GVHD prognosis prior to transplant, and may lead to novel immunotherapeutic strategies designed to augment the GVL response while minimizing GVHD.
Dr. Stone also manages the microarray core facility for the Benaroya Research Institute. The core includes both expression and genotyping capability using Affymetrix Genechip technology. The core serves both BRI and external investigators.