Section: Research

Postdoctoral Position Available

Tony Ip, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Associate Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Program in Molecular Medicine

Other Affiliation(s):
   Cell Biology
   Cell Dynamics Group
   Interdisciplinary Graduate Program

Regulatory mechanisms in Drosophila innate immunity

Humans and fruit flies do not look alike, yet many physiological processes in these two organisms share homologous molecules. One of the recent examples is innate immune response. Human body fights infections by two systems, innate (or natural) and acquired (or adaptive) immune response. Acquired immunity involves B and T lymphocytes, each of which expresses a distinct antigen receptor encoded by rearranged genes. Innate immunity, on the other hand, involves germ line encoded proteins to detect and kill microorganisms. Innate immune system is not antigen-specific. Instead, it distinguishes pathogens as groups, therefore serves effectively as the first line of defense. Furthermore, innate immune system, once recognizes dangerous infection, is required to activate and coordinate the acquired system. How does innate immune system recognizes "dangerous" molecules associated with groups of pathogens? A postulation is that the body produces limited number of pattern recognition receptors. These receptors interacts with some common features of classes of pathogens, such as lipopolysaccharide of G(-) bacteria, and signal the host to respond. The Toll receptor family may serve such purpose. The first Toll receptor was identified in Drosophila and demonstrated to be critical for early embryonic development. Subsequent experiments reveal that Toll is also required for some aspects of innate immunity in flies. Activation of Toll leads to cytoplasmic-nuclear translocation of a family of transcription factors called NF-kB. These factors regulate genes that are essential for immune and inflammatory response, as well as development. Both human and fruit fly genomes each encodes approximately 10 different Toll-like receptors. Whether these Toll-like receptors have evolutionarily conserved function is a topic that attracts many scientists. My laboratory is interested in dissecting how the Toll proteins are involved in Drosophila immunity. Gene knockout, tissue culture assays, sub-cellular localization, biochemical interaction, and signaling mechanisms are among the experiments that we conduct.

Office: Biotech II, rm109
Phone: 508-856-5136
E-mail: Tony.Ip@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Genetic Systems, Signal Transduction, Immunology

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Postdoctoral Position Available A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Ip for additional details.