Evaluation of inflammasome activation by TB-specific immune complexes
Babak Javid, Professor
Medicine/Experimentsl Medicine
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
We have shown (in unpublished data) that antibodies specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), complexed to live Mtb, can stimulate NLRP3 inflammasomes -- a multi-protein complex that is involved in pro-inflammatory signaling. However, the precise molecular mechanisms are not known.
In this URAP project, the student will use latex-beads (mimicking Mtb) coated with Mtb-derived protein (or control), complexed to specific antibodies (or isotype controls) stimulates NLRP3 inflammsomes. Specifically, they will determine the requirements for phagosome damage using galectin-8 reporters as well as the requirements for external or cytosolic Fc-FcR interactions.
Please note: selection of students will be taken via the formal submission process
Role: Student will learn about designing an appropriately controlled experiment. They will be trained in basic cellular immunology and immunofluorescence microscopy. They will be trained in analyzing, collating, presenting and interpreting data.
Qualifications: Student should already have basic lab skills.
Desirable: some experience performing research (i.e. not just lab class)
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Adam Fillion
Hours: to be negotiated
Off-Campus Research Site: UCSF -- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Division of Experimental Medicine Building 3 San Francisco
Related website: https://javidlab.ucsf.edu/
Related website: https://experimentalmedicine.ucsf.edu/laboratories/javid-lab