Studies on host-malaria parasite interactions, including defining polymorphisms in the host genome linked to malaria susceptibility and mechanisms of antibody mediated parasite neutralization.
We study mechanisms leading to optimal immune responses in the mucosal respiratory compartment and the participation of the innate immune system in protection and susceptibility to infection.
We study the influence of early life microbial exposures, such as the gut microbiota and herpesvirus infection, on the maturation of innate and adapitve immune responses and allergy development.
Sympatric ethnic tribesin Africa present distinct levels of malaria susceptibility/resistance. To identify modulatory attributes we study host innate immune responses and genetic/epigenetic factors.