Mentor Areas
Dr. Mangalmurti’s research program focuses on the newly defined immune functions of red blood cells (RBCs), investigating how they maintain organismal homeostasis and contribute to disease when disrupted. A long-term goal of her lab is to leverage these immune functions for clinical applications. Her lab made the seminal discovery that red blood cells express the nucleic acid-sensing pattern recognition receptor, TLR9, and sequester cell-free DNA. The lab uses in vitro model systems, organ-on-a-chip technology, clinical specimens, and novel erythroid-specific PRR-deficient mice to explore the immunomodulatory role of red blood cells in inflammatory syndromes. Her laboratory has been funded by the NIH, DOD, American Lung Association, and National Blood Foundation.
Description:
Projects vary. There are currently several bench-based mechanistic projects aimed at dissecting the role of RBC TLRs in the host immune response to various insults. One project is focused on extracellular RNA sensing by RBCs and how this affects the host response during sepsis (a life threatening clinical syndrome). The other project examines how the RBC-TLR9 mediated DNA sensing and delivery pathway contributes to host heterogeneity in sepsis and pneumonia. Additionally we have several translational projects aimed at utilizing an RBC-based platform for diagnostics in a broad range of diseases which include lung cancer, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer and infectious diseases.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal undergraduate student should be self-motivated and demonstrate engagement, curiosity about the subject matter, and a commitment to actively contributing to the lab.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.