My research interests are divided in two main topics:

1. Transplantation Immunology
2. Characterization of HLA peptide motifs

In relation to transplantation immunology, we are currently performing the following projects:

1. Development of diagnostic tools that can be used for predicting adverse outcomes and monitoring post-transplant events in the setting of solid organ transplantation

2. Development of antibody screening tools that allow simultaneous characterization of complement-dependent cytotoxic properties of anti-HLA antibodies found in recipients prior to solid organ transplantation

3. Development of diagnostic approaches to expand the pool of donors available for bone marrow transplantation by determining the risk of specific HLA mismatches found in potential donor-recipient pairs

For the characterization of HLA peptide motifs, my laboratory has recently standardized a mass-spectrometric technique for the sequencing of peptides eluted from HLA molecules. The following projects are being performed using this approach:

1. Characterization of peptide motifs in several closely related HLA-B35 alleles known to be associated with rapid or normal progression to AIDS

2.  Characterization of peptide motifs in cell models lacking molecules that actively participate in the process of HLA class I and class II peptide loading

3. Characterization of peptide motifs in non-classical HLA molecules

The aforementioned projects are being performed in association with Dr. David Eckels from the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Dr. Alan Rockwood from the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Dr. Peter Jensen from the Department of Pathology of the University of Utah and in collaboration with several other investigators from the University of Utah and other institutions around the country.

Staff

• Hernando Escobar, Senior Lab Specialist
• Eduardo Reyes-Vargas, Lab Specialist