Dr.Lisa Kronstad, Ph.D.

Vaccines represent the most efficient way to prevent disease with influenza A viruses (IAV) in humans and animals. Unfortunately, the generation of immunity represents a major hurdle of IAV vaccination. Natural killer and Dendritic cells are innate immune cell that traffic rapidly to the lung after infection and are critical for controlling IAV infection in both human and mouse models. However, the precise mechanisms used by IAV to evade or trigger activation of these cells remains unclear. To address these research questions, we use primary human immune cells harvested from blood and a panel of evolutionary distinct IAV strains. Using immunological techniques - such as flow cytometry and ELISA - and viral genetics, we seek to identify the precise viral genes, host pathways and immune signal involved at the interface of IAV infection and innate immunity. Students will be encouraged to develop an independent research project and present their data at scientific conferences.
Virology
Immunology