Hamerman Lab

In the Hamerman Lab, we are interested in understanding how myeloid cells contribute to both productive and pathological immune responses during infection, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.

Our research focuses on monocytes and macrophages, and conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, key players in innate immune responses that set the stage for subsequent adaptive immunity.

We are particularly interested in understanding how signaling by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is regulated in these innate cells and how dysregulated TLR responses contribute to both initiation and propagation of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the autoimmune complication macrophage activation syndrome (MAS).

We also have a key interest in monocyte and macrophage development during homeostasis, and how this process changes during inflammation, whether due to infection, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Our research will lead to a better mechanistic understanding of how TLRs and myeloid cells function and will allow for identification of new therapeutic intervention points in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.