Innate immunity in the gut
Research in my laboratory (http://www.cobolab.com) is directed towards elucidating intestinal mucosal innate mechanisms and their involvement in preventing harmful inflammatory responses and controlling infections. I am particularly interested in host defense peptides (HDPs), particularly cathelicidins, which are abundantly secreted by infiltrating neutrophils and epithelial cells in mammalians. My aim is to discover new roles of HDPs in the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases to decode how the innate system avoids damaging inflammation associated with pathogen persistence. Our approach includes studies conducted in cultured intestinal cells and leukocytes and murine models deprived of cathelicidins to determine mechanisms of action of cathelicidins. Understanding the biology of HDPs in the intestinal innate immunity is helpful to develop alternative immunomodulatory therapeutics against gut disorders. We are excited to receive new motivated students at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. Ability to work independently with good communication skills in English is needed. Experience in immunology or molecular biology, animal models, and lab techniques are desired. If interested, send your CV and a letter stating your experience to Dr. Eduardo R. Cobo (Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Calgary, Canada) at ecobo@ucalgary.ca.