Research Abstract
Our lab works in the fields of T cell differentiation and Autoimmunity, with a special emphasis on exploiting the most advanced transgenic and gene-targeting technology to engineer new mouse models. Studies on T cell differentiation focus on 1) selection of the T cell repertoire, in particular the cellular and molecular mechanisms of positive and negative selection and lineage commitment; and 2) cellular and molecular influences on naive T cell survival in the periphery. Studies on Autoimmunity explore the immunological mechanisms of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Major questions tackled are what initiates these diseases, how is their progression regulated, and what are the final effector mechanisms. In addition, modern genetic approaches are used to identify disease modifying genes.