Ninan Abraham
Microbiology
Priniva Exim
Canada
Biography
"Professor Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (I3) Research GroupPh.D., University of Ottawa (1998); Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of California San Francisco (1998-2002)"
Research Interest
"The development, maintenance and proper functioning of T- and B-cells are essential for the survival of mammals in a pathogen-ridden environment. Their absence results in inherited or acquired immunodeficiency, the latter of which is the basis of a growing health crisis. Conversely, deregulated growth and development can lead to cancer of the immune system. Leukemia and Lymphoma are the most common cancers among children. Our research focus is on a cytokine, interleukin-7 (IL-7), that is an essential growth factor for lymphocytes. Defects in IL-7 or its deregulation cause immunodeficiency and lymphomas respectively. Our long-term goal is to use genetic models of IL-7 function to understand the key intracellular, signaling processes that contribute to these diseases and to formulate novel therapeutic strategies."
