Abraham
Principal Investigator
Grace Kerby Distinguished Professor of Pathology
Professor in Pathology
Professor of Cell Biology
Professor in Integrative Immunobiology
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
Contact Information

Email
Office Address:
Edwin L. Jones Research Bdg.
207 Research Dr, Rm 257
Durham, NC 27705

Laboratory:
Edwin L. Jones Research Bdg.
207 Research Dr, Rms 251, 253, 255
Durham, NC 27705
Lab Phone: 919-684-6942

Postal Address:
DUMC 3020
Durham, NC 27710

Research Interests

This laboratory focuses on two main research areas:

(a) Elucidating the role of mast cells in modulating immune responses to microbial pathogens.
Our studies have revealed that mast cells play a key sentinel role and upon bacterial or viral infection, modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses through the release of immunomodulatory molecules borne in granules. Our current investigations are centered on elucidating the molecular and cellular aspects of how mast cells mediate their immunomodulatory role. We are also examining several mast cell-targeted strategies to boost immunity to infections as well as reduce any pathological consequences of infection.

(b) Investigating cross-talk between the immune system and distinct infectious agents such as Uropathogenic E. coliSalmonella typhimurium and Yersinia pestis.
We have recognized that different pathogens possess distinct mechanisms to evade or coopt one or more immune cells to establish infection. Our studies now dwell on developing novel pathogen-specific strategies to combat infection.

Publications

Please see  Pub Med for current listings.

Book Sections

  • Abraham, SN, Sharon, N, Ofek, I, and Schwartzman, JD. "Adhesion and Colonization." In Molecular Medical Microbiology: Second Edition, 409-421. November 26, 2014
  • Ofek, I, Bayer, EA, and Abraham, SN. "Bacterial adhesion." In The Prokaryotes: Human Microbiology, 107-123. November 1, 2013

Conference Papers

Journal Articles