Assistant Professor, Microbial Infection and Immunity
718 Biomedical Research Tower (BRT)
460 W 12th Ave, Columbus OH 43210
614-366-9246
Emily.Hemann@osumc.edu
Membership: Infectious Diseases Institute
Research Interests
The development of effective and persisting adaptive immune response is required for clearance of and protection from viral infection. Rapid detection of virus by infected cells and innate immune cells leads to production interferon (IFN), contributing to an antiviral state within tissues. However, a fine balance is required for effective immune activation and viral clearance while minimizing pathology. Research in the Hemann laboratory focuses on understanding the cellular components and signaling pathways that function at the innate-adaptive immune interface to program protective immunity against viral infection. We have recently revealed that type III IFN, expressed primarily at barrier surfaces, plays a critical role in shaping functional adaptive immunity against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Projects aimed to better understand the specific mechanisms by which type III IFN regulates adaptive immunity following IAV vaccination and infection are ongoing. Additional research projects in the laboratory are focused on understanding how virus sensing and IFN signaling in specific non-immune and immune cell subsets regulates respiratory virus infection and the induction of protective immunity.
We utilize novel genetic knockout infection models and combine transcriptional and cellular analysis to understand how early innate immune signals program innate and adaptive immune cells in the context of respiratory virus vaccination and infection. The ultimate goal of our research is to inform the development of better adjuvants and therapeutics against viral infection.
Laboratory
740 Biomedical Research Tower (BRT)460 W 12th Ave, Columbus OH 43210
614-366-9334
Personnel
Jack Gong, Research Associate, gong.567@osu.eduOctavia Hogaboam, Graduate Student, octavia.hogaboam@osumc.edu