Immunology and Virology

Members of this group study the development and malignant transformation of B and T cells, as well as roles played by innate and adoptive immunity in lung and breast cancers. They identify markers and drivers of different stages in these processes and use them to test diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities including CAR-T and immune checkpoint immunotherapy. In addition, Drs. Scharff and Birshtein investigate the molecular regulation of antibody diversity, Dr. Kielian studies the entry, intracellular lifecycle and budding of flavivuruses and alphaviruses including human pathogens, while Dr. Ye studies how HTLV-1 causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.