Featured Research - Dr. Eric Denkers's Lab
This image shows a mouse astrocyte, a type of cell found in the brain, infected with Toxoplasma. The parasites are shown in green, actin filaments in red, and cell nuclei are in blue. (Image by Dr. B. Butcher)
The Denkers laboratory studies immune responses during infection with Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic protozoan pathogen that sometimes causes life-threatening disease in human and animal populations. We are determining how the innate and adaptive immune system recognizes and responds to the parasite at cellular and molecular levels. We are also investigating how Toxoplasma manipulates host immunity, examining mechanisms that the parasite uses to interfere with signal transduction during intracellular infection of macrophages and other cell types. Understanding immunity to Toxoplasma can lead to better strategies of preventing and controlling infection with this and other microbial pathogens. Another line of research focuses on Toxoplasma-triggered intestinal damage during rodent infection. This proinflammatory pathology resembles Crohn’s disease, so by studying immune dysfunction in this model, we are gaining insight into inflammatory bowel diseases in humans.
Dr. Eric Denkers
Professor, Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology
College of Veterinary Medicine
C5 147 Veterinary Medical Center
E-mail: eyd1@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-253-4022