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D

Pictured: Liang Deng

Deng, Liang

Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

Physician-scientist Liang Deng studies poxvirus interface with the immune system and the development of poxviruses as oncolytic and immunotherapy for cancers.

G

Pictured: Michael Glickman

Glickman, Michael S.

Immunology Program

Physician-scientist Michael Glickman investigates the physiology and pathogenic mechanisms of mycobacteria, including regulated intramembrane proteolysis (the Rip1 pathway); double-strand-break repair and associated DNA damage responses; and cell envelope biosynthesis.

H

Pictured: Alan Houghton

Houghton, Alan

Immunology Program

Cancer immunologist Alan Houghton studies the immune response to cancer, immune recognition of self and mutated molecules, and development of new immunotherapies.

L

Pictured: Christopher Lima

Lima, Christopher D.

Structural Biology Program

Structural biologist Christopher Lima studies the structural biology of post-translational protein modification and RNA processing.

N

Niethammer, Philipp

Cell Biology Program

Cell biologist Philipp Niethammer investigates wound responses in vertebrates on a systems biology level using advanced imaging approaches and genomic techniques.

P

Pictured: Eric Pamer

Pamer, Eric G.

Immunology Program

Physician-scientist Eric Pamer studies T cell and innate inflammatory responses to bacterial and fungal infections.

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

Shuman, Stewart

Molecular Biology Program

Molecular biologist Stewart Shuman studies mechanisms and structures of the mRNA cap-forming enzymes and the means by which capping is coupled to transcription.

Pictured: Joseph Sun

Sun, Joseph

Immunology Program

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

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)

DNA

The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.

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

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

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

immune response (ih-MYOON reh-SPONTS)

The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).

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

immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

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)

immunotherapy (IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Agents used in immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect. Also called biological response modifier therapy, biological therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy.

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)

inflammatory (in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee)

Having to do with inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat that helps protect tissues affected by injury or disease).

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)

mRNA

A type of RNA found in cells. mRNA molecules carry the genetic information needed to make proteins. They carry the information from the DNA in the nucleus of the cell to the cytoplasm where the proteins are made. Also called messenger RNA.

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

oncolytic

Refers to viruses that kill cancer cells more often than they kill normal cells.

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

protein (PROH-teen)

A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.

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)

RNA

One of two types of nucleic acid made by cells. RNA contains information that has been copied from DNA (the other type of nucleic acid). Cells make several different forms of RNA, and each form has a specific job in the cell. Many forms of RNA have functions related to making proteins. RNA is also the genetic material of some viruses instead of DNA. RNA can be made in the laboratory and used in research studies. Also called ribonucleic acid.

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

T cell (... sel)

A type of immune cell that can attack foreign cells, cancer cells, and cells infected with a virus. T cells can also help control immune responses. A T cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called T lymphocyte and thymocyte.

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

transcription (tran-SKRIP-shun)

In biology, the process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a sequence of DNA that is a gene.

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

wound (woond)

A break in the skin or other body tissues caused by injury or surgical incision (cut).

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