Our laboratory is interested in the molecular signals that are used by the immune system to distinguish healthy from unhealthy tissue. Many of our projects focus on “unconventional” T cell recognition, involving γδ T cells, Natural Killer T cells and Muscosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells and antigen presentation by nonclassical or MHC-like proteins. Our strengths are in biochemistry, structural biology, protein engineering and cellular assays that will reveal the fundamental principles behind how effector cells of the immune system regulate human disease. We have a high level of expertise in studying molecular recognition of T cells, particularly unconventional T cells outside the canonical CD4+/CD8+ lineage and structure function of antigen-presenting molecules.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Postdoc - Molecular Immunology
2005
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
PhD - Evolutionary Genetics
2001
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA
BS - Animal Physiology and Neuroscience
1993
Regulatory T cells constrain T cells of shared specificity to enforce tolerance during infection.
Regulatory T cells constrain T cells of shared specificity to enforce tolerance during infection. Science. 2025 Mar 21; 387(6740):eadk3248.
PMID: 40014689
Molecular characterization of the archaic HLA-B*73:01 allele reveals presentation of a unique peptidome and skewed engagement by KIR2DL2.
Molecular characterization of the archaic HLA-B*73:01 allele reveals presentation of a unique peptidome and skewed engagement by KIR2DL2. bioRxiv. 2024 Nov 28.
PMID: 39651149
Ligand-induced segregation from large cell-surface phosphatases is a critical step in ?d TCR triggering.
Ligand-induced segregation from large cell-surface phosphatases is a critical step in ?d TCR triggering. Cell Rep. 2024 Oct 22; 43(10):114882.
PMID: 39383038
Ligand-induced segregation from large cell-surface phosphatases is a critical step in ?d TCR triggering.
Ligand-induced segregation from large cell-surface phosphatases is a critical step in ?d TCR triggering. Cell Rep. 2024 09 24; 43(9):114761.
PMID: 39276348
Parkinson's disease-associated mutations in a-synuclein alters its lipid-bound state.
Parkinson's disease-associated mutations in a-synuclein alters its lipid-bound state. Biophys J. 2024 06 18; 123(12):1610-1619.
PMID: 38702883
Multiple Isomers of Photolumazine V Bind MR1 and Differentially Activate MAIT Cells.
Multiple Isomers of Photolumazine V Bind MR1 and Differentially Activate MAIT Cells. J Immunol. 2024 Mar 15; 212(6):933-940.
PMID: 38275935
Delivery of loaded MR1 monomer results in efficient ligand exchange to host MR1 and subsequent MR1T cell activation.
Delivery of loaded MR1 monomer results in efficient ligand exchange to host MR1 and subsequent MR1T cell activation. Commun Biol. 2024 02 24; 7(1):228.
PMID: 38402309
MFG-E8: a model of multiple binding modes associated with ps-binding proteins.
MFG-E8: a model of multiple binding modes associated with ps-binding proteins. Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2023 Nov 24; 46(11):114.
PMID: 37999806
Biochemical and biophysical characterization of natural polyreactivity in antibodies.
Biochemical and biophysical characterization of natural polyreactivity in antibodies. Cell Rep. 2023 10 31; 42(10):113190.
PMID: 37804505
?d T cell explorations seek terra firma.
?d T cell explorations seek terra firma. Nat Immunol. 2023 Oct; 24(10):1606-1609.
PMID: 37749327
Joseph Regenstein Professorship
UChicago
2016 - pres
Searle Scholar
UChicago
2007 - 2010
Cancer Research Institute Postdoc Fellow
Stanford University
2001 - 2004
Phi Beta Kappa
UC San Diego
1993
Graduate Cum Laude
UC San Diego
1993