ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Research Topic Cellular Immunity, Cytokines, Genetics, Genomics, Human Genetics and Genetic Disorders, Immune Deficiency, Immunology, Immunosuppression, Infectious Disease, Inflammation, Interferon, Lymphocytes, Viruses and Virology Multi-Disciplinary Training Area Microbiology [MIC] Education PhD, New York University Medical School, Sackler Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Rockefeller University Research Human Immunogenetics The Bogunovic lab focuses on the study of human immunogenetics. We aim to improve understanding of the human immune system by studying individuals with severe clinical presentations of infections usually causing mild or no clinical disease. To dissect these phenotypes we use genomic, genetic, molecular biology, cellular biology, immunology and clinical tools. The hypothesis of the lab is that inter-individual variability in susceptibility to infectious agents can also be explained by the immune genetic composition of the host. For example, we have recently identified null mutation in ISG15 in children who developed severe disease following an infection with usually innocuous strain of mycobacteria. As we discovered that lack of secreted ISG15 results in suboptimal production of interferon gamma, we are now interested in further dissecting the biology of secreted ISG15. Similarly, we are studying the pathogenesis of central nervous system infections with Listeria monocytogenes (neurolisteriosis), a foodborne pathogen. In immunocompetent individuals, infection with Listeria monocytogenes generally results in minor gastrointestinal problems. In rare cases, infection with Listeria monocytogenes may cause invasive infections, resulting in meningitis in this population, with significant mortality and morbidity. We aim to illuminate the elusive pathogenesis of these diseases, hoping to lay the foundation for a novel and paradigm-shifting approach to the rational design of both preventative medicine (vaccines and genetic counseling) and treatments beyond currently used antimicrobials. Lab Webite http://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/bogunoviclab/ http://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/bogunoviclab/