Welcome to Jonathan Schneck's Lab page in the Department of Pathology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
T Cell Responses: From Recognition To Regulation-
Antigen specific T cells play major roles in both normal physiologic immune responses as well as in many disease states. T are central in the immune response to a variety of pathogens including bacterial,viral and protozoan infection. Hyperactivation of antigen specific T cells targeted toward self antigens is the underlying basis for the majority of autoimmune diseases including: multiple sclerosis; arthritis; and diabetes. Conversely, inactivity of tumor antigen-specific T cells may allow tumors to grow. Secondary to a wide variety of different physiologic and pathophysiologic responses in which T cell are implicated, it is of great interest to be able to track and modulate antigen-specific T cells which will lead to better insights into therapeutic selective immunomodulation for both autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Current technologies for identifying/isolating antigen-specific T cells have dramatically advanced by the development of soluble multivalent MHC analogs. Recently, using immunoglobulin as a molecular scaffold, we have constructed soluble divalent analogs of MHC and TCR molecules ligands (called MHC and TCR superdimers) that have high affinity for their cognate ligands. The divalent nature of the analog effectively increases the affinity of the complex allowing for stable binding to antigen-specific T cell receptors. Our lab focuses broadly on probing T cell responses and antigen-processing using the MHC-Ig and TCR-Ig reagents developed by the group.
For information about positions available in the lab contact Jon. We are affiliated with several of the graduate programs here on campus including: The Graduate Program in Immunology; Pathobiology Graduate Program; and Cellular and Molecular Medicine. For more information about Immunology Conferences at Johns Hopkins please visit the Immunology Council Web site.
We also have opportunity for summer research student, usually 1-2 undergraduate students/summer.