Host-Microbial Interactions in Commensalism and Diseases Research

Dr. Dennis Kasper

Dr. Kasper’s group is studying the molecular basis for immunologic interactions between the host and both bacterial pathogens and symbionts. Studies are aimed at the molecular, chemical, and genetic basis for the interactions of the immune system with bacteria and with important bacterial components, particularly capsular polysaccharides and LPS and surface or secreted proteins. How the immune system responds to bacterial antigens is a major focus of the laboratory. His group has been interested in defining the bacterial molecules that signal to direct the development of the mammalian immune system and the pathways for this signaling.