Faculty

Extrinsic regulation of hematopoiesis

The laboratory’s research emphasis is to study novel agents that regulate hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival capacity under normal and stressed conditions and to study how these agents can be used to improve both mouse and human donor hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell engraftment following transplantation in animal models.

Molecular pathogenesis of Fanconi anemia & neurofribromatosis

My laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of NF1 and particularly the role of immune cells in tumor initiation and progression. We utilize a combined approach of using GEMMs and bone marrow transplantation to identify molecular and pharmacologic targets to treat the benign tumors in mice and in humans.

HSC radiobiology and aging

Our research is focused on defining functional and molecular mechanisms by which bioactive lipids and cytokines affect HSCs under stress for development of novel therapeutic agents for radiation- and aging-induced HSC dysfunction.

Gene regulation programming hematopoietic development

The Dahl Laboratory investigates how transcription factors and miRNAs program the maintenance and differentiation of adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and how these normal programs are disrupted in hematopoietic diseases.

My lab studies the regulation of the antibody response, and specifically the T helper cells that are required for helping B cells. Our work has implications for controlling allergic disease and autoimmune disease, and also for helping to develop vaccines that can target infectious diseases and cancer cells.

Role of osteoblasts in hematopoietic niche. Impact of megakaryocytes on osteogenesis

Our research focuses on the regulatory interactions between skeletal and hematopoietic cells in 3 main areas: 1) The effects of megakaryocytes on osteoblast proliferation and bone formation; 2) The regulation of bone regeneration by thrombopoietin; and 3) The regulation of hematopoietic stem cells by osteoblasts, megkaryocytes, and osteal macrophages.

Cytokine and cellular control of inflammation

Research in the Kaplan lab focuses on understanding communication between cells during inflammatory diseases including allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease. Studies explore the development of cytokine-producing T cells, how T cell-proudced cytokines impact mast cells and macrophage homeostasism and transcriptoin factors important in these cells that control effector function.

Molecular mechanisms involved in normal and abnormal hematopoiesis

We study signaling pathways involved in regulating normal hematopoiesis as well as non-malignant hematologic diseases. Specifically, we study how PI3Kinase and Rho family GTPases ROCK and Rap1 contribute to stem and progenitor cell functions. We also study the role of stress MAPKinase pathways in normal and stress hematopoiesis.

Examine how altered microbiota in obesity modifies innate T cell function and impacts obesity-related diseases

Our long-term research interests include understanding immunological responses to the invasion of pathogens and tumors, and how modern lifestyle alters the immune system. Specifically, we focus on studying how altered microbiota in obesity modifies the innate T cell function and how it impacts obesity-related diseases.

B cell development and humoral memory responses

Our research is to understand the regulation of B cells development and their responses to viral infection and vaccination. We are using genetic animal models to interrogate the role of signaling and metabolism reprogramming in the generation and maintenance of long-lived memory B cells and plasma cells. 

Bioactive cytokines/growth factor control of HSC proliferation & migration

Our research focuses on hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, differentiation and regeneration. We study how these processes are normally regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms or altered under stress such as aging and radiation exposure.   

Radiation effects on hematopoiesis, hematopoietic reconstitution, and hematopoietic stem cell biology

Dr. Orschell is a radiobiologist/experimental hematologist focused on understanding mechanisms of radiation damage to normal tissue and developing protection and mitigation strategies to overcome this damage and enhance recovery/survival from the hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome and the delayed effects of acute radiation exposure.

Finding new ways of enhancing the safety of HSCT and cellular therapies by improving the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of complications from HSCT and cellular therapies. 

Immunotherapy and DNA repair

Our research on normal hematopoiesis is to discover mechanistically how human hematopoietic cells respond to genotoxic stress. We are using ex-vivo expanded myeloid precursor cells and humanized bone marrow mouse models to interrogate molecular mechanisms and develop strategies to protect these life-sustaining cells from the deleterious effects of genotoxic stress.

How host-pathogen interaction shape the immune response

The Richer laboratory is interested in understanding the regulation of T cell function in health and disease using viral models of infection.

My research focuses on understanding mechanisms/factors that regulate stem cell homeostasis and deciphering specific changes in stem cells and their niches under stress/pathologic conditions such as myeloablation, aging, and diabetes. I am particularly interested in exploring the roles of neuronal signals in hematopoietic stem cell niche regulation.

Immunology of chronic viral infections, T cell exhaustion, Immunotherapy

The Snell laboratory studies the molecular and cellular regulation of antiviral T cell responses during chronic viral infection. We are interested in how the immunosuppressive environment generated by a chronic viral infection dysregulates or skews T cell responses, and how these can be restored by immunotherapy to purge infection.

Gene Editing in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Monogenic Diseases, Multiple Myeloma

My research interest is to utilize gene editing tools to understand disease mechanisms and develop therapeutic approaches for blood disorders. The current lab research focus are (1) developing the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy for Fanconi Anemia and (2) targeting N-link glycosylation for treatment of multiple myeloma.

Metabolic regulation of hematopoiesis

The Zhang lab combines biochemical, molecular/cellular and mouse genetic approaches to elucidate the role of asparagine metabolism in (1) normal HSC function during hematopoietic reconstitution and (2) B cell activation/differentiation in response to antigen stimulation.