Don Cook
Immunogenetics
Institut Pasteur de Bangui
Mauritius
Biography
Donald N. Cook, Ph.D., heads the Immunogenetics Group and holds a secondary appointment in the NIEHS Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory. The Immunogenetics Group uses genetic, immunologic and microscopic imaging approaches to understand molecular mechanisms underlying allergic responses to inhaled allergens. Allergic sensitization through the airway is dependent on pulmonary dendritic cells and their interactions with allergen-specific T cells. Accordingly, the group studies how allergens and adjuvants affect dendritic cell activation directly, and also indirectly, by reprogramming of lung epithelial cells.
Research Interest
The molecular mechanisms underlying allergic sensitization to inhaled allergens The roles of individual pulmonary dendritic cell subsets in allergic airway disease Molecular cross-talk between epithelial cells and dendritic cells
Publications
-
Current projects: Bacterial product-mediated allergic sensitization through the airway The roles of pulmonary dendritic cell subsets in the maintenance of allergic airway disease Epigenetic regulation of epithelial and dendritic cell function
