Assistant Professor, Microbial Infection and Immunity
708 Biomedical Research Tower (BRT)
460 W 12th Ave, Columbus OH 43210
Patrick.Collins@osumc.edu
614-293-2578
Research Interests
Dr. Collins' lab current research focuses on either: a) the link between gamma herpesvirus infection and autoimmunity or b) human lymphocyte genetics & genomics.
Infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a necessary but not sufficient factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS). We don’t know how EBV contributes to autoimmunity, but prevalent theories include molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and more.
Herpesviruses are extremely host- and species-specific, limiting the ability to directly study EBV in animal models. EBV infects just humans, mostly B cells. We are developing models of neurological autoimmunity based on a natural commensal of the mouse called murid gamma herpesvirus 68 (MHV68), which infects mouse B cells.
While MS is a disease caused by self-reactive CD8 and CD4 T cells, successful therapy in humans targets B cells. That is why we are trying to make better B cell autoimmunity models.
Aside from wet lab studies on gamma herpesvirus and autoimmunity, other lab work is computational. Current projects focus on understanding human specific immune gene expression using genetic, genomic, and computational (e.g. convolutional neural networks) tools. I am passionate about teaching related skills, and developing tools with web assembly for training new immunologists the computer skills they need.
Laboratory
770 Biomedical Research Tower (BRT)
460 W 12th Ave, Columbus OH 43210
614-292-3425
Lab Website
Personnel
Tina Rau, Postdoctoral Researcher, christinanoelle.rau@osumc.edu
Mariam Salem, Graduate Student, salem.120@osu.edu
Kruthika Sharma, Research Technician, sharma.1077@osu.edu