Larry Schlesinger, MD​, Department Chair

Samuel Saslaw Professor of Medicine Chair, Dep​artment of Microbial Infection & Immunity Director, Center for Microbial Interface Biology Director, Medical Scientist Training Program The Ohio St​ate University   Courtesy appointments:  Environmental Health Sciences Microbiology M​olecular Virology, Immunology & Medical Genetics Veterinary Biosciences Contact information:​ 798 Biomedical Research Tower (BRT) 460W 12th Ave., Columbus OH 43210 Lab: (614) 292-5295 (Heather Curry) Admin: (614) 292-8789 (Breanne Richey) Larry.Schlesinger@osumc.edu

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Publications​

  

Research Interests ​

Dr. Schlesinger's laboratory uses a variety of approaches (cell biology, immunology, molecular biology and biochemistry) to study the role of bacterial surface glycoconjugates in complement activation and in binding to pattern recognition receptors (e.g. TLRs) and phagocytic receptors (e.g. complement receptors and the mannose receptor). It also focuses on the mechanism of opsonic and non-opsonic phagocytosis by macrophages, intracellular trafficking and the ability of intracellular mycobacteria to regulate effector functions such as the biosynthesis and expression of antigen presenting molecules, the oxidative burst and the generation of inflammatory mediators with emphasis on key signaling regulators and pathways (e.g. NODs, PPARs, microRNAs).

Dr. Schlesinger's laboratory utilizes novel in vitro models that include surfactant components to study innate immune responses to these pathogens in the air spaces of the lung. The lab also studies metal-dependent metabolic pathways in bacteria and macrophages that regulate the host-pathogen interaction. Newly characterized clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and mutant strains of bacteria are utilized for these studies.

Finally, the lab is interested in the use of novel functional genomics platforms to identify host susceptibility factors in the innate immune response to infection.