JoAnne Flynn, PhD
Contact
Education
PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Berkeley
BS in Biochemistry, University of California, Davis
Academic Affiliation(s)
Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Professor, Department of Immunology
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Member, Center for Vaccine Research
Member, Molecular Virology and Microbiology Graduate Program
Member, Immunology Graduate Program
Research
My primary interest is in the interaction of pathogens with the host, with special emphasis on the immune mechanisms that protect against or exacerbate disease. Our focus is on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the organism responsible for tuberculosis, which causes 2 million deaths per year worldwide. We are investigating the immune responses required for protection against tuberculosis, and the effect of these immune responses on both the host and the bacterium. We specifically study cytokine production, macrophage activation, and T cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) that are important in tuberculosis. Finally, we have a strong interest in the immune mechanisms responsible for maintaining a latent M. tuberculosis infection, and how deficiencies in the immune response can result in reactivation of disease. Our work is done in two model systems: mice and non-human primates. We have vaccine studies, drugs studies, and basic immunologic and pathogenesis studies ongoing. We also participate in projects involving mathematical modeling of the immune response to M. tuberculosis, and our plan is to incorporate nuclear imaging of live animals into our research.
Lab Personnel
Charles A. Scanga, Research Assistant Professor
Amy Fraser, Lab Manager
Chelsea Chedrick, Research Specialist
Daniel Fillmore, Research Technician
Postdoctoral Associates: Joshua Mattila, Hannah Gideon
Senior Research Specialists: Melanie O'Malley, Jamie Tomko, Paul Johnston, Carolyn Mooney Bigbee, Catherine Thomas Cochran, Mark A. Rodgers
Graduate Students: Robert DiFazio, Anthony Cadena, Eileen Wong
Student Workers: Xueqi Fang, Yuan Yipu
Publications
Phuah J. Y, Mattila J. T, Lin P. L, and Flynn J. L. Activated B cells in the granulomas of nonhuman primates infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Am J Pathol. 181: 508-514. | View Abstract
Lin P. L, Rutledge T, Green A. M, Bigbee M, Fuhrman C, Klein E, and Flynn J. L. CD4 T Cell Depletion Exacerbates Acute Mycobacterium tuberculosis While Reactivation of Latent Infection Is Dependent on Severity of Tissue Depletion in Cynomolgus Macaques. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. [Epub ahead of print] | View Abstract
Lin P. L, Dietrich J, Tan E, Abalos R. M, Burgos J, Bigbee C, Bigbee M, Milk L, Gideon H. P, Rodgers M, Cochran C, Guinn K. M, Sherman D. R, Klein E, Janssen C, Flynn J. L, Andersen P. The multistage vaccine H56 boosts the effects of BCG to protect cynomolgus macaques against active tuberculosis and reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. J Clin Invest. 122: 303-314. | View Abstract
Lin P. L, Dartois V, Johnston P. J, Janssen C, Via L, Goodwin M. B, Klein E, Barry C. E., 3rd, and Flynn, J. L. Metronidazole prevents reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in macaques. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 109: 14188-14193. | View Abstract
Mattila J. T, Diedrich C. R, Lin P. L, Phuah J, and Flynn J. L. Simian immunodeficiency virus-induced changes in T cell cytokine responses in cynomolgus macaques with latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are associated with timing of reactivation. J Immunol. 186: 3527-3537. | View Abstract
Ford C. B, Lin P. L, Chase M. R, Shah R. R, Iartchouk O, Galagan J, Mohaideen N, Ioerger T. R, Sacchettini J. C, Lipsitch M, Flynn J. L, and Fortune S. M. Use of whole genome sequencing to estimate the mutation rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during latent infection. Nat Genet. 43: 482-486. | View Abstract
Spotlight
Meet the new MVM Program Director, Dr. Fred Homa!
