Chenlu Zhang, PhDAssistant Professor

Mammals have evolved sophisticated immune systems that defend against pathogenic microorganisms while preserving beneficial host-microbial interactions. The skin and the gut represent the first portal of microbe exposure and are major anatomical sites for development of inflammatory disorders. The research in Zhang Lab bridges the fields of immunology, microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology and focuses on the interactions between the host barrier sites and the community of microbes that colonize these niches. Specifically, our research focuses on addressing the following three fundamental questions: (1) How does the host recognize and initiate an immune response upon pathogen infection? (2) How does the microorganisms and their metabolites regulate skin and intestinal mucosal immunity and their barrier function? (3) What are the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases (such as atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease)?