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INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY FACULTY
| Craig M. Walsh, Ph.D. |
| Fields of Study: |
| Adaptive Immunity, Lymphocyte Development, Lymphocyte Activation, Signaling, Cancer Immunology, Autoimmunity, Apoptosis |
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| Research Interests: |
| Our group is interested in the mechanisms that control T cell homeostasis, the process that dynamically regulates the expansion and contraction of antigen specific T cells. In particular, we are focused on the means by which cell death modulates this important balance. A major project in the lab is to understand the biology of a protein known as FADD, and how this protein contributes to T cell function. Although FADD is known to activate a form of cell death known as apoptosis, we have discovered that FADD also contributes to the activation and survival of antigenically-stimulated T cells. These intriguing results raise an important question: how can a single molecule both induce apoptosis under some circumstances and promote survival and expansion of T cells under other conditions. Understanding this paradox will contribute to our knowledge of how T cell homeostasis is maintained and will also help us understand how such a balance is disturbed in autoimmunity and lymphoproliferative disease. A second protein the lab is investigating is DRAK2, an apoptosis regulating kinase. Mice with an engineered deficiency in this death-inducing kinase are known to be hyper-sensitive to antigenic stimulation under specific conditions. We are dissecting the signaling pathways that lead to such hyper-responsiveness. We are also conducting studies to determine how the structure of the kinase regulates its function. Finally, we are determining if this kinase plays a role in the prevention of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We believe that a more complete understanding of the physiological roles of such apoptotic regulatory pathways will contribute greatly to the amelioration of diseases of the immune system. |
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| Office Address/Phone: |
3215 McGaugh Hall
(949) 824-8487 |
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| Lab Address/Phone: |
3140 McGaugh Hall
(949) 824-9343 |
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| Email: cwalsh@uci.edu |
| Web Site: http://www.faculty.uci.edu/scripts/UCIFacultyProfiles/detailMBB.cfm?ID=4617 |
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