Christian T. Mayer, PhD

Stadtman Investigator
Experimental Immunology Branch

My laboratory is investigating how different types of programmed cell death regulate the development, differentiation and function of immune cells. Currently, we interrogate the role of apoptosis in B lymphocyte development and self-tolerance, and examine how cell death regulates the kinetics, magnitude, quality, or longevity of immune responses. To do so, we employ sophisticated technologies including FRET-based cell death indicators and single-cell analyses. These are combined with genetics and mouse models to understand the molecular mechanisms and functions of cell death. This research serves to increase our fundamental understanding of the immune system and how defects in immune regulation might contribute to diseases. The long-term goals are to identify new avenues to (1) inhibit unwanted immune responses, (2) enhance immune responses against tumors and pathogens.

Suggested Penn mentors: Michael Cancro, David Allman, Igor Brodsky