Overview
The human immune system is a finely tuned machine, balancing when to release a cellular army to deal with pathogens, with when to rein in that army, stopping an onslaught from attacking the body itself. Salk scientists are studying how the body maintains this balance for optimal health.
Seasonal sniffles, watery eyes, scratchy throats, and sneezing can be annoying for people with hay fever, but severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis can cause debilitating symptoms and even death. Allergies are the result of the immune system being triggered by what the body believes is an invader. Salk scientists are uncovering the molecular mechanisms of conditions like these by targeting genetic mishaps that result in our immune system attacking itself. This research may lead to the development of new therapies for both summer sneezing and more severe allergic responses.
Nearly 25 million people suffer from asthma in the United States. For some, asthma is a mild nuisance––just the occasional tight chest and some mucus buildup in the nose––but for others, these mild symptoms can turn into shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and possibly even death. Salk scientists are applying genetic and molecular tools to better understand asthma to offer patients new preventatives and therapeutics in the future.
When invaders like bacteria, viruses, and fungi enter the body, they can cause infections that demand our immune system’s attention. A broad category of diseases spanning respiratory flu, the measles, HIV, and beyond, means ample ground for scientific discovery. Salk researchers seek to understand and create an alliance with invaders.
Using novel imaging and decoding techniques, the structures of invaders and the methods of their attacks can teach us about our body’s responses to danger—and how to make them better.
Professor and Laboratory Head
Gene Expression Laboratory, Molecular and Systems Physiology Laboratory, NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury or infection. It is a protective response that involves our immune cells, blood vessels, and signaling molecules working in unison to eradicate the source of irritation. However, overactivation can lead to chronic inflammation, which can involve pain, excessive swelling, and even loss of function. Chronic inflammation is linked to a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. At Salk, we research the roles proteins and other signaling molecules play in generating inflammatory responses, which could lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments.
Professor and Laboratory Head
Gene Expression Laboratory, Molecular and Systems Physiology Laboratory, NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Assistant Professor
NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), an immune-deficient condition in which people are especially susceptible to infections and other serious illnesses. Salk scientists are determining the structure of HIV at near-atomic resolution. Their microscopy images and models further our understanding of the molecular hallmarks of HIV infection and provide chemical blueprints for potentially improving antiviral therapies.
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