Our laboratory has a long-standing interest in genetic and epigenetic regulation of the development and functions of lymphocytes. We are studying gene regulatory networks in T cells and B cells that drive clonal expansion and maintenance of long-lived responses. These aspects of adaptive immunity are important for protection against pathogens and cancer, durability of immunity, and prevention of lymphocytes and their progenitors from cancerous transformation.
Specifically, our research is focused on the characterization of hierarchical dynamics of T and B cell populations and the roles of gene expression programs in driving differentiation of lymphocytes during infection and cancer. In our recent studies, we have identified subpopulations of exhausted CD4 and CD8 T cells in chronic viral infection models. We have also identified the presence of a c-MYC-induced tumor suppression pathway that protects developing B cells from malignant transformation.