Topic: Innate immunity

Investigate the origins and consequences of genome instability in primary, immortalized and transformed cells in the Barlow laboratory. Projects examine DNA secondary structures, replication stress and damage in proliferating cells, genome integrity during replication and division, innate immune responses, neurodegeneration and adaptive immunity in mouse models. Genetics, molecular biology and next-generation sequencing are used to locate damage, understand consequences for division and metabolism, and identify disease mechanisms. The researcher will lead an independent project, develop assays

Reflex circuits in the nervous system integrate changes in the environment with physiology. Compact clusters of brain neuron cell bodies, termed nuclei, are essential for receiving sensory input and for transmitting motor outputs to the body. These nucelii are critical relay stations which process incoming information and convert these signals to outgoing action potentials which regulate immune system functions. Thus, reflex neural circuits maintain parameters of immunological physiology within a narrow range optimal for health. Advances in neuroscience and immunology using optogenetics, pharm