Patrick, Kristin Assistant Professor

Using a multi-disciplinary toolset, we probe the molecular mechanisms that macrophages use to activate an innate immune response that is rapid, robust, and regulated. We mainly study how RNA binding proteins control the ability of macrophages to respond to infection, using a variety of bacterial and viral models. By working to uncover how RNA binding proteins work and how macrophages functionalize RNA binding proteins to orchestrate a fine-tuned innate immune response, our work furthers our understanding of a variety of human diseases.