Lab Research Focus
My laboratory is involved in studies to fully understand the mechanisms involved in the induction of protective immunity against a variety of microbial pathogens through vaccination and in host-microbial interactions in inflammation. Current studies in rats, monkeys and humans are designed to investigate the ability of various vaccine delivery systems to induce mucosal IgA immune responses. The vaccine delivery systems being studied are biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres and liposomes, which are being tested to determine their ability to induce protective immune responses against bacterial and viral pathogens, e.g., anthrax, diphtheria, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus mutans. We are also investigating the use of Salmonella mutants containing cloned genes for surface virulence determinants of S. mutans (and other pathogens) as vehicles for delivery of antigens to GALT for the induction of protective IgA responses. Other studies in humans and rats are investigating the role of lymphoid cells and their factors in inflammatory responses, specifically periodontal disease. Studies are aimed at assessing the effects of microbial factors on T cells, monocytes/macrophages, or fibroblasts and how these effects influence host inflammatory responses.
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