Alejandro Aballay, Ph.D.

Research

Our laboratory uses genetic and functional genomic methodologies to study the genetic basis of innate immunity. We infect the Caenorhabditis elegans model host with different human bacterial and fungal pathogens to understand host-pathogen interactions. We also use mammalian systems to study innate immunity and microbial pathogenesis. Recent studies from our laboratory highlight the importance of the nervous system in the regulation of innate immune responses. Using a genetic approach we were able to demonstrate that specific neurons can regulate innate immunity. We are studying a number of signaling molecules that can be used by the nervous and immune system to communicate to each other.