We are the Bladder Immunology Group (BIG). Think BIG! The genitourinary tract is our model system. coli.
Our laboratory is interested in how inflammation protects against pathogens and other noxious stimuli and yet can paradoxically harm the host through secondary effects such as carcinogenesis. We are examining anti-pathogenic inflammation induced by bacteria such as uropathogenic E. Chronic inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis is being studied using models of nitrosamine and Schistosoma haematobium
Our paper on imaging of clinical & experimental urogenital , incl. ultrasound (mouse bladder w/granuloma shown here), MRI, narrow band imaging, CT, confocal laser endomicroscopy & 2-photon microscopy, has been accepted by Advances in !
(social media) can be a powerful means by which to promote your and scholarship, here's a link to a recent talk on the subject I gave to early career stage faculty, hope it's helpful (DM me if you can't access it)!: https://bit.ly/3qKsP5b
12/10/2020
Our paper showing that IPSE, a protein, can greatly reduce inflammation, is now online in Parasites and Vectors: https://rdcu.be/cbWK9 We are developing this as a new therapeutic to accelerate recovery from urinary tract infections, stay tuned!
12/09/2020
I'm very proud to be on the editorial board for
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- tremendous increases in volumes of COVID and other infection-related submissions (including my favorite category - helminths), and a corresponding growth of the board!
12/09/2020
, atopic dermatitis, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea commonly affect children. Our newly accepted review on to prevent these conditions is now online!:https://nature.com/articles/s41390-020-01298-1.pdf (photo: NCCIH)
Happy Appreciation Week to Kenji, one the “vertebrae” of the backbone of the ! Here he is showing off his bone 🥃 shot skills 😆
07/29/2020
Different species of eggs cause different pathology for unclear reasons, i.e., S. haematobium& . Our work on eggs w/Geoffrey Gobert, newly accepted for pub in , points to possible explanations for these key differences!
Congrats to Kenji for being awarded a T32 fellowship to study -associated ! btw Kenji is very good at 🥃 shots
07/11/2020
While updating my cv I've found that 👀 up old trainees&👀 their accomplishments is incredibly rewarding. 22 high school/undergrad students, of which are 16 female, 9 from underrep groups, at least 18 in , 15 in biomedical fields, incl 2 urologists&1 neurosurgeon!
06/29/2020
Seven years ago my first lab student, Kim Thai, presented at her first meeting. Little did I know today she would match in a reconstructive fellowship ! So proud of her!!
06/12/2020
Resiniferatoxin is the most potent agonist 4 the capsaicin receptor-it kills nerve endings! This receptor may b 🔑 4 some types of pain. Our shows IPSE, a protein, inhibits this pain!: https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.06.11.146829v1
IPSE, a Parasite-Derived, Host Immunomodulatory Infiltrin Protein, Alleviates Resiniferatoxin-Induced Bladder Pain The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptor is an important mediator of nociception and its expression is enriched in nociceptive neurons. TRPV1 signaling has been implicated in bladder pain and is a potential analgesic target. Resiniferatoxin is the most po...
05/20/2020
Thanks to the Children’s National Hospital OR for words of from Jim Valvano