Hiroki Kato, PhD
Professor, University of Bonn Medical Center, Germany
Former RTI Lab: Postdoctoral Fellow, Mello Lab
Training Period: 2008 - 2010
Prior Academic Institution: Institute for Microbial Diseases, BIKEN
My research focuses on the mechanisms by which cytoplasmic RNA sensors RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) distinguish between viral RNAs and self-RNAs and trigger type I IFNs. Current work examines spontaneous autoimmune symptoms in RLR mutant mice derived via mutagenesis and how RLR-dysregulation causes autoimmune disease. I am also particularly interested in the analysis of immune responses and pathogenesis in virus infection in vivo and autoimmune diseases using mouse models.