Joseph Lin

Office

Education

Ph.D. University of California, San Francisco, 2003

Postdoctoral Experience:
Washington University in Saint Louis.

Research

Molecular and Cellular Biology, Signal Transduction, Immunology

My research efforts focus on how cells of the immune system, specifically T cells, are activated to protect us from pathogens. T cells are vital for the establishment of protective immunity in response to vaccination and subsequent infection. Their activation requires a delicate balance between having the sensitivity to respond to low levels of pathogens, but at the same time, not respond to "self" which would lead to the development of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

In particular, I am interested in the intracellular signaling pathways that are responsible for T cell activation. This complex process involves the dynamic interplay between a multitude of signaling molecules, ultimately resulting in differentiation and proliferation. By taking a molecular and biochemical approach to dissecting the intricate pathways required for T cell activation, we hope to further understand these complicated mechanisms and determine how loss of regulation can lead to various disease states.