JoAnne L Flynn, PhD

Our goal is to define immune mechanisms that enhance resistance to this infection, as well as those that exacerbate pathology.  We study the early, chronic  and latent phase of infection, since it is estimated that 1/3 of the world's population is latently infected, and 10% of infected persons will develop active disease. These studies may lead to improved vaccine development or immunotherapeutic strategies, as well as a clear understanding of the host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis. Our research encompasses translational studies on drugs, vaccines, and immune modulation of TB

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Infection Dynamics and Protection Models against Mtb

In collaboration with the Vaccine Research Center at the NIAID and the HI-IMPACT branch of the IMPAc-TB consortium, we are looking at correlates of protection in the most robust and effective vaccine model available for TB - intravenous BCG. We also study primary infection dynamics and concomitant immunity, using various NHP models that recapitulate TB disease seen in humans.

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Immunological, Spatial, and Temporal Containment of TB

As part of the HI-IMPACT branch of the IMPAc-TB consortium, we are able to utilize multiple experimental techniques to form a comprehensive picture of disease progression and the role the immune system plays. Diverse areas of expertise help relate extensive data sets from our NHP system. We are drawing on these collaborative resources to analyze the host-pathogen interactions at the core of Mtb infection dynamics and disease control.

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Novel Vaccination Platforms against Mtb infection

Together with the Vaccine Research Center at the NIAID, Ehrt and Schnappinger labs at Cornell, and others, we are studying clinically viable alternatives to the BCG vaccine, as well as other non-traditional yet promising platforms to guide future vaccine candidate design. 

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Drugs and Host-directed Therapies

We are also doing in vitro stuff like antibody opsonization, macrophage clearance and development of antigen responsive CD4 and CD8 cell lines.