"Computer-aided drug design, small molecule modulators of the costimulatory protein-protein interaction, immunomodulation for islet transplantation"

 

"We focus on identification and characterization of anti-host proteins secreted by the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. Specifically, we are interested in how these protiens modulate eukaryotic cell biology and host immune responses."

 

Cancer immunotherapy. Immune modulation using oligonucleotide aptamer-targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, aptamers, siRNAs, cytotoxic drugs, to tumor cells or immune cells.

 

We are interested in understanding how T lymphocytes: a) control the process of hematopoietic progenitor cell engraftment following marrow / blood transplantation and b) mediate anti-tumor immunity against malignancies in individuals post-transplant.

 

Our group is interested in the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection for the understanding of the nature and mechanisms of immune dysfunction in HIV infected pediatric and adult patients. We hope that our studies will help in developing strategies for immune reconstitution, and for aborting disease progression in HIV infected subjects.

 

"The research in the Riley laboratory focuses upon the molecular and cellular regulation of B lymphocyte development. In particular, the processes that down-regulate immune functions in old age and other conditions of immunodeficiency are under study."

 

"My research interests pertain to the role of the innate immune system, particularly of macrophages/monocytes, in the immune suppression observed in mice bearing advanced tumors. Peritoneal and tumor-associated macrophages and their precursors, monocytes in the circulation, represent and exhibit different levels of local and systemic immune suppression in the host. We have found that transcripition factors NFkB, STAT1 and STAT3 are differentially expressed in these cells, resulting in altered cell signaling pathways and cytokine gene expression patterns."