DGSOM Labs Production Server News

Lab Halloween Party

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:40:54 GMT

The Reed Lab joins the Kupiec Lab and the Butte Lab for a halloween celebration!

Moien Lone joined the lab!

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:39:51 GMT

Moien was registered for Ph.D. in the Department of Biotechnology at Jaipur National University and carried out his research work in the Department of Biochemistry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. His research focused on understanding the role of R2TP complex and its DSDDE motifs in Diffuse large B- Cell Lymphoma patients.

He joined the Reed Lab as a postdoctoral scholar in October 2022 where he will be studying and understanding the advance signaling pathways that regulate transcriptional programs stimulated by HLA class I and HLA class II antibodies in endothelial cells. His project aims to design novel approaches to improve the outcome of organ transplantation. His research activities primarily focus on YAP/TEAD signaling in promoting the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells challenged with antibodies directed against HLA I and HLA II.

Welcome Moien!

Reed Lab Celebration

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 23:06:39 GMT

The Reed Lab celebrated recent accomplishments in the lab, including:

Angela Sun receieved the Roy & Dorothy John, Fred Eiserling & Judith Lengyel Teaching Excellence Award.
Dr. Elaine F. Reed received the Mentorship or Education and Training in Transplantation Award from The Transplantation Society.
Dr. Yiping Jin's paper "Crosstalk between HLA Class I and TLR4 Mediates P-Selectin Surface Expression and Monocyte Capture to Human Endothelial Cells" was published in The Journal of Immunology.

Abstracts Presented by Subha Sen and Jessica Nevarez-Mejia at AAI 2022 Annual Meeting

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 18:20:18 GMT

Subha Sen

Abstract Title: Single-Cell Transcriptomics Of CD8 T Cells During CMV Viremia In Kidney Transplant Recipients Identify Transcriptional States Of Advanced Differentiation

Jessica Nevarez-Mejia

Abstract Title: Characterizing Arterial Lesions in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Rejected Grafts using NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling

Harry Pickering and Meagan Jenkins Presented at the CIVR-HRP 2022 Annual Meeting

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 23:08:16 GMT

Harry Pickering

Presentation Title: Soluble, cellular and epigenetic correlates of immune response to flu vaccination

Meagan Jenkins

Presentation Title: Los Angeles SARS-CoV-2-SeroPrevalence and Respiratory Tract Assessment (LA-SPARTA): Assessment of Humoral Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination

Eduardo Valli Presented at the CIVIC 2022 Annual Meeting

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 23:07:52 GMT

Eduardo Valli

Presentation Title(s):

1. T Cell Responses as Signatures of Influenza Vaccine Responses

2. DNA Methylation Profiling of PBMCs Predicts Influenza Serological Immunity and Response to Vaccination

Abstracts Presented by The Reed Lab at ATC 2022

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 23:01:32 GMT

Jessica Nevarez-Mejia

Abstract Title: Protein and Transcriptomic Differences Between High and Low Neointimal Arteries in Human Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Rejected Grafts

Allyson Terry

Abstract Title: Disulfide HMGB1 Reprograms Macrophages to Induce Alloimmunity via TLR4 and TLR9 Pathways Following Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Human Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Angela Sun

Abstract Title: Longitudinal Single-Cell Profiling of CD8 T Cells During CMV Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Harry Pickering

Abstract Title: Multidimensional Immunological Profiling of CMV Dnaemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Rudy Silva joined the lab!

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:01:18 GMT

Rudy Silva joined the Reed Lab to conduct research as a pediatric gastrointestinal fellow.

Open Postdoctoral Position in Signal Transduction and Transcriptional Regulation

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:46:40 GMT

The laboratories of Dr. Elaine Reed (Immunogenetics Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) and Dr. Enrique Rozengurt (Signal Transduction Laboratory, Department of Medicine) in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are seeking applications for full-time Postdoctoral Positions.

The focus of the projects will be to study the mechanisms of HLA class I and class II antibody-mediated graft injury leading to chronic antibody-mediated rejection (cAMR) with the aim of identifying potential therapeutic targets to prevent cAMR. These studies will include: 1) The role of the YAP/TAZ transcriptional program in promoting the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) in response to HLA donor specific antibodies. 2) To investigate the mechanism(s) by which statins inhibit YAP function, proliferation and migration of ECs. 3) Characterize the impact of statins on YAP activity and cAMR in vivo using a novel model of heart graft allograft that develop transplant vasculopathy (TV).

The candidate, a recent PhD, MD or DVM, must be enthusiastic, have strong written and oral communication skills, be highly motivated, intellectually creative, able to work independently, and function well as part of a team. Candidates will be expected to contribute to ongoing projects and expand novel independent research projects in a collaborative research environment.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

Applying for the position

Interested applicants should submit their CV as well as a cover letter indicating how their past research experience, interests, and goals connect to the activities of the laboratory. The letter should also include the names and contact information for three references.

Please submit to: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06768

Deadline for applications: December 31^st, 2021

Meagan Jenkins joined the lab!

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:15:31 GMT

Meagan Jenkins joined the Reed Lab in August 2021 as a postdoctoral scholar. Her research project focuses on the LA-SPARTA project which aims to determine the changes in immune response that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection. She specifically wants to explore the T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and how this correlates with immunity. This includes looking at the specific T cell subsets present after vaccination and infection compared to healthy individuals, and comparing the T cell repertoire in vaccinated and infected individuals.

Meagan received her B.S. degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). At FGCU, she studied molecular and cellular virology, focusing on antibody dependent enhancement in Zika virus and also studied Dengue virus vaccine design based on a Yellow fever vaccine construct. She received her PhD at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying dendritic cell migration patterns and CD8 T cell activation in a mouse model of influenza virus infection. During her PhD, she found that the spleen as a primary site for CD8 T cell activation and generation of long-lived CD8 T cells during influenza virus infection. She joined the Reed lab to transition to and gain expertise in human immunology. In her free time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, surfing, and working out.

Welcome Meagan!

Allyson Terry Awarded ASHI Travel Award

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:14:54 GMT

Allyson Terry, a doctoral candidate in the Reed Lab, was awarded the competitive ASHI Travel Award to attend this year's annual meeting of the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) held in Orlando, FL. This award covers travel and registration expenses for attendees whose abstracts are selected for oral presentation. Allyson’s presentation entitled "HMGB1-TLR4 and HMGB1-TLR9 Axes Differentially Polarize Macrophages to Distinct Phenotypes that Contribute to Alloimmunity Following Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Human Orthotopic Liver Transplantation" discussed her work on the liver ischemia-reperfusion injury project and was well-received by conference attendees.

Congratulations, Allyson!

Eduardo Valli joined the lab!

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:00:39 GMT

Eduardo obtained his degree in Biology and received his Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) – Argentina. His research focused on immunomodulation induced by hypothyroidism in the Cremaschi lab. Later, he moved to New Orleans where he completed his training at Tulane university, investigating novel adjuvants and its incorporation into influenza vaccines at Norton’s lab.

He joined the Reed Lab as a postdoctoral scholar in February 2021 where he will dissect a detailed molecular map of the cross-talk between the innate and adaptive immune response during influenza vaccination, with special interest on the most vulnerable populations.

Welcome Eduardo!

Adil Bhat joined the lab!

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 20:56:22 GMT

Adil Bhat joined the Reed Lab as a postdoctoral scholar in October 2020. His research focuses on deciphering the complex biological interactions that drive liver transplantation reperfusion damage. Research project he currently working is 'Innate and Adaptive Immune Mechanisms of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (IRI) in Transplantation'. The goal of his project is to identifying the DAMPs, cofactors, and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) responsible for myeloid cell plasticity and alloreactivity following liver IRI. Understanding the effects of DAMP/PRR signaling on cellular and humoral alloimmunity would allow for the development of therapeutic treatments and, may improve liver transplant outcomes.

Adil earned his Ph.D. in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine from the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) New Delhi, India. He investigated the role of platelet and derived growth factors in liver regeneration in his Ph.D. thesis. His research focused on understanding the mechanism of liver regeneration deficiency in transplant recipients utilizing a multiomics approach. During his Ph.D., he investigated the pro-inflammatory and coagulatory effects of increased oxidized albumin in alcoholic liver disease on the innate immune response. Studies of immunological response in liver transplantation caught his interest. With this zeal, he was eager to learn more and expand his knowledge about the subject at the Reed Lab. Outside of the lab, Adil likes cooking, music, reading, and cycling as well as playing cricket.

Welcome Adil!

Angela Sun joined the lab!

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 20:50:52 GMT

Angela Sun, a 3^rd year graduate student in Molecular Biology Institute (MBI) under Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area, joined the Reed Lab in July 2020. Her research will focus on profiling immune responses against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in solid organ transplant patients. She aims to investigate how previous exposure to CMV affects the immune system and impacts the response to subsequent infections and vaccinations using systems biology approach.

Angela graduated from UCLA with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Her undergraduate research focused on studying host-pathogen interactions of mosquito-borne RNA viruses and identifying the antiviral spectrum of host factors. She hopes to continue interrogating the immunology of viral infections in the Reed Lab.Outside of the lab, Angela is a fan of anime and theme parks, and enjoys dancing and hot yoga.

Welcome Angela!

Harry Pickering joined the lab!

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 20:41:56 GMT

Harry Pickering joined the Reed Lab in January 2020 as a postdoctoral scholar. His work combines clinical research and computational tools to study systems immunology of viral infections, including CMV in the context of solid organ transplantation, influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2, with a particular focus on immunocompromised and otherwise vulnerable populations. The ultimate goal of his work is to understand the cross-talk between innate and adaptive immune responses and how this impacts the interaction between host and virus, with a view to improving clinical care, including antiviral treatment and vaccine delivery, in high-risk populations.

Harry received his BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Edinburgh in 2012, and completed his MSc the following year in Molecular Biology of Parasites and Disease Vectors at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. From 2013-2016 he studied at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) for his doctoral degree, investigating novel immune targets in Chlamydia trachomatis utilizing immunological and genomic tools. Following completion of his PhD, Harry was employed as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Clinical Research at LSHTM, working on developing a vaccine against ocular C. trachomatis infection, with additional research involving in studies of epidemiology, genomics and immunology of multiple infections, with a focus on neglected tropical diseases in sites across sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Islands. Outside the lab, he enjoys browsing local record stores, California’s endless breweries and watching any sport he can find.

Welcome Harry!