Immunobiology

The Immunobiology research groups at the Institute for Cell Engineering focus on a wide range of basic immunology topics including immune system circuitry, dysregulation and pathogen-host recognition.

Learn more about the Immunobiology research program.

Neuroregeneration

The Neuroregeneration research groups focus on a wide range of basic and translational neuroscience including the basic mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration or neurologic injury in Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn more about the Neuroregeneration research program.

Stem Cell Biology

The Stem Cell Biology research groups focus on better understanding how stem cells function, renew themselves and differentiate into different cell types. Our researchers also study induced pluripotent stem cells to both improve technology and learn more about the cells themselves.

Learn more about the Stem Cell Biology research program.

Vascular Biology

The Vascular Biology research groups focus on the areas of angiogenesis and vascular biology with the ultimate goal of translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications.

Learn more about the Vascular Biology research program.

COVID-19 Research

The recent pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, has rallied researchers across the globe to study various aspects of the disease and virus. The following Institute for Cell Engineering researchers are pursuing research projects in this field:

• Production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD proteins for antibody detection & purification (improving the way we detect and monitor antibodies for SARS-CoV2) - Linzhao Cheng, Ph.D.
• Action of SARS-CoV2 in Human Brain Cultures (understanding the way SARS-CoV2 affects neurologic function will help guide the treatment and management of patients) - Valina Dawson, Ph.D. [Read the story.]
• Molecular analyses of COVID19 patient specimens (improving COVID-19 diagnosis and prediction of disease severity) - Ben Larman, Ph.D.
• Modulation of inflammatory signaling by SARS-CoV-2 gene products (understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV2) - Joel Pomerantz, Ph.D.
• Screening and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Reactive T Cells by artificial Antigen Presenting Cells (aAPC) (understanding of how cellular immunity, T cells, contributes to disease progression and convalescence) - Jonathan Schneck, M.D., Ph.D.
• Understanding the mechanism of CME mediated CoV-2 entry in neurons (understanding how the coronavirus interacts with proteins on brain cells to invade the brain) - George Umanah, Ph.D.