Section: Research

Madelyn Schmidt, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Assistant Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
   Physiology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Program in Immunology and Virology

Gene therapy approaches to treat genetic immunodeficiencies

Our laboratory is studying the mechanisms by which an RNA virus is maintained in resting B lymphocytes and how virus expression is controlled by lymphocyte activators. We have showed in in vitro studies that viral transcription, protein synthesis and replication are controlled by lymphocyte activation. We are currently examining virus persistence in lymphocytes in vivo and whether infectious virus can be reactivated after prolonged residence in B lymphocytes. These observations will be used for the development of treatments to control or clear acute and persistent infections.

Other studies in the lab focus on determining how developing B lymphocytes enter and are maintained in the mature B cell pool in the periphery. Survival of lymphocytes from normal mice are being compared to those which carry genetic defects that alter B cell survival. Because of the need to transfer and express genes in resting primary lymphocytes in these studies, we have developed a transgenic mouse that expresses the receptor for adenovirus on lymphocytes. These transgenic mice can be readily crossed with mice that carry genetic defects so that we can use adenovirus, which efficiently infects and expresses engineered genes in resting cells, to study gene function. These studies will be used to develop new treatment modalities for use in gene therapy.

Office: S5-242
Phone: 508-856-6040
E-mail: Madelyn.Schmidt@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Immunology, Cancer Biology, Virology

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