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B

Pictured: Renier J. Brentjens

Brentjens, Renier J.

Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

Physician-scientist Renier Brentjens develops novel immunotherapies for leukemias and lymphomas.

H

Pictured: Katharine C. Hsu

Hsu, Katharine C.

Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

Physician-scientist Katharine Hsu studies the biology of human natural killer cells and how they contribute to disease processes.

L

Li, Ming

Immunology Program

Immunologist Ming Li studies the mechanisms of T Cell homeostasis, tolerance, and immunity, and their relevance to autoimmune diseases and cancer.

O

Pictured: Richard O'Reilly

O'Reilly, Richard J.

Immunology Program

Physician-scientist Richard O'Reilly investigates the genetic disparities and cellular interactions between donor and host that affect allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

R

Pictured: Alexander Rudensky

Rudensky, Alexander

Chair, Immunology Program, SKI

Immunology Program

Immunology Program Chair Alexander Rudensky focuses on immunological tolerance and the differentiation and function of T cells.

S

Pictured: Michel Sadelain

Sadelain, Michel

Molecular Pharmacology & Chemistry Program

Immunologist Michel Sadelain studies the mechanisms governing transgene expression, stem cell engineering, and genetic strategies to enhance immunity against cancer.

Pictured: Joseph Sun

Sun, Joseph

Immunology Program

Immunologist Joseph Sun investigates the natural killer cell response against infection and cancer.

V

Pictured: Marcel R. M. van den Brink

van den Brink, Marcel R. M.

Immunology Program

Physician-scientist Marcel R. M. van den Brink studies the immunology of bone marrow transplantation.

Y

Pictured: James Young

Young, James W.

Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

Physician-scientist James Young studies innate and adaptive immunity against tumors and viruses stimulated by human dendritic cells.

allogeneic (A-loh-jeh-NAY-ik)

Taken from different individuals of the same species. Also called allogenic.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

bone marrow (bone MAYR-oh)

The soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of most bones. It produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

differentiation (DIH-feh-REN-shee-AY-shun)

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

donor (DOH-ner)

In medicine, a person who gives blood, cells, tissue, or an organ for use in another person, such as in a blood transfusion or an organ transplant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

homeostasis (HOH-mee-oh-STAY-sis)

A state of balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly. In homeostasis, body levels of acid, blood pressure, blood sugar, electrolytes, energy, hormones, oxygen, proteins, and temperature are constantly adjusted to respond to changes inside and outside the body, to keep them at a normal level.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunity (ih-MYOO-nih-tee)

The condition of being protected against an infectious disease. Immunity can be caused by a vaccine, previous infection with the same agent, or by transfer of immune substances from another person or animal.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunology (IH-myoo-NAH-loh-jee)

The study of the body's immune system.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

infection (in-FEK-shun)

Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

killer cell

A white blood cell that attacks tumor cells and body cells that have been invaded by foreign substances.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

M

In chemistry, M is the amount of a substance that has 6.023 x 10(23) atoms or molecules of that substance. Also called mole (chemical).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pharmacology (FAR-muh-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of the origin, chemistry, and uses of drugs and their effects on the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

response (reh-SPONTS)

In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stem cell (stem sel)

A cell from which other types of cells develop. For example, blood cells develop from blood-forming stem cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

transplantation (tranz-plan-TAY-shun)

A surgical procedure in which tissue or an organ is transferred from one area of a person’s body to another area, or from one person (the donor) to another person (the recipient).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)