The immune system is our body’s frontline defense, protecting us from bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. It relies on multiple layers of protection — from specialized “adaptive” responses, such as antibodies and T cells that recognize specific threats, to rapid “innate” mechanisms that respond to common features of microbes, as well as physical barriers in the skin, lungs and gut that help prevent infection.
Researchers in the Lacy-Hulbert Lab study how these components of the immune system work together to defend against harmful invaders while avoiding damage to healthy tissues or harmless microbes. Understanding this balance can reveal new strategies to prevent and treat immune system diseases.
Support for the lab comes from the National Institutes of Health, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Wellcome, the Lupus Research Alliance, the Seattle Foundation, and other partners.
Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD
Lab Members
Zoe Bishop
Meggie Kuypers, PhD
Caitlyn Kwong
Kelsey Mauk, PhD
Caroline Stefani, PhD
Lauren Vandepas, PhD
Anna Yoshida
Cheng Zhao, PhD
Research Projects
Distinguishing Pathogens From Self
Researchers in the Lacy-Hulbert Lab are exploring the molecular and cellular pathways that determine when innate immune cells promote tolerance and when they trigger inflammation.
Forward Genetics To Identify New Mechanisms in Immunity and Host Defense
In the Lacy-Hulbert Lab, researchers focus on identifying the mechanisms that control innate immunity and host defense, using innovative genetic approaches that let them explore immunity on an unprecedented scale.
Regulation of Immune Responses
The Lacy-Hulbert Lab seeks to understand how the immune system maintains balance — mounting strong defenses against infection while avoiding harmful attacks on the body itself.
SARS-CoV2 And COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lacy-Hulbert Lab applied its expertise to better understand SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and explore ways to prevent and treat infection.
Featured Publications
Longitudinally stable T cell function and innate immune activation distinguish healthy adult immunotypes.
Sci Transl Med
A systematic review of machine learning-based prognostic models for acute pancreatitis: Towards improving methods and reporting quality.
PLoS Medicine
Cytokine signatures in post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a pilot study.
Annals of Gastroenterology
Application of Hemolymph Smear Histology Diagnosis to Detect Disseminated Neoplasia in Basket Cockles (Clinocardium nuttallii).
Journal of Shellfish Research
Immune markers of severe acute pancreatitis.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
Ready for This Moment: Exploring Prevention of Ulcerative Colitis
Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD, was reading through the latest scientific papers when one finding stopped him in his tracks: Groups from Kyoto University and Mount Sinai described an autoantibody specific to people with ulcerative colitis (UC).
Using AI and VR to Advance Research
Caroline Stefani, PhD, became fascinated with the immune system while pursuing her doctorate in microbiology. She loved using imaging tools to examine the worlds of cells and bacteria. But one thing frustrated her.
What Does It Mean for COVID-19 To Be Endemic?
As the next chapter of COVID-19 unfolds, we’re hearing that the virus will likely become endemic (in the northern hemisphere) — and it will be part of life for the foreseeable future.
News
Benaroya Research Institute’s Dr. Adam Lacy-Hulbert Receives Puget Sound Business Journal Researcher of the Year Award
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Benaroya Research Institute Awarded More Than $14 Million Across 11 Grants To Help Predict, Prevent, Reverse and Cure Immune System Diseases
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