Center for Translational Immunology
Scientists in the Center for Translational Immunology perform human studies in order to translate scientific discoveries back to patients more quickly, in a “clinic to lab to clinic” approach.
Our researchers study blood and tissue samples from patients with immune-mediated diseases, infectious diseases including COVID-19 and cancer to understand changes in the immune system that are dysregulated, using genetic, molecular, cellular and systems immunology approaches. The goal of these studies is to discover the pathologic mechanisms of disease; identify biomarkers that predict disease onset, progression, or response to therapy; and elucidate novel drug targets.
Leadership
Karen Cerosaletti, PhD
Center Director, Translational Immunology
Associate Member, Cerosaletti Lab
Manager, Genotyping Core
Research Laboratories
Buckner Laboratory
Identifying the underlying mechanisms by which the adaptive immune response to self-antigens becomes pathogenic in the setting of human autoimmune disease
Cerosaletti Laboratory
Engaged in translational research to identify the pathways that are dysregulated by disease-associated genetic variants and in autoreactive T cells, contributing to the development of autoimmunity and allergy
James Laboratory
Understanding the selection, activation and expansion of an autoreactive T cell repertoire in autoimmunity
Khor Laboratory
Studying novel pathways that regulate the balance between tolerance and inflammation, and how these are perturbed in the setting of disease
Kwok Laboratory
Utilizing Tetramer reagents and other antigen specific T cell assays to examine autoreactive T cells in autoimmune diseases and CD4+ T cell responses to environmental allergens and infectious pathogens
Long Laboratory
Learning how tolerance is lost in autoimmunity to gain a better understanding of the disease-related causes and consequences of defective cytokine signaling
Lord Laboratory
Investigating the immune cells of patients with the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD’s) ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
Mikacenic Laboratory
Identifying the underlying mechanisms of certain lung diseases
Wambre Laboratory
Understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis, regulation and functions of the adaptive immune system in disease pathways
Core Laboratories
The Tetramer Core Laboratory provides MHC class II tetramer reagents for collaborators both within and outside BRI. These tetramers are synthetic protein conjugates that allow the direct detection of antigen specific T cells by flow cytometry.
The Translational Core Laboratory (TCL) provides sample processing, archiving and distribution services for clinical research projects conducted at BRI. We also provide limited standardized testing of those samples.
Human Immunophenotyping Core Lab
The Human Immunophenotyping Core Laboratory (HIP-c) analyzes human samples using flow cytometry, mass cytometry and functional assays to facilitate the study of human immune-mediated diseases and therapeutic interventions that are being tested in clinical trials. Services are provided for collaborators both within and outside BRI.
The Genotyping Core provides on-site genotyping services and analysis for collaborators both within and outside BRI.