Damon Runyon Researchers

T lymphocytes, an important component of the immune system, recognize infected or cancerous cells with great specificity, ensuring targeted elimination. These potent cells are kept in check by regulatory T cells, the guardians of the immune system. While essential for curtailing excessive inflammation and preventing autoimmunity, their immunosuppressive properties can promote the development and progression of cancer. Regulatory T cells are distinguished by the presence of a protein called Foxp3, which plays a critical role in their differentiation, function and fitness. Foxp3 deficiency results in fatal autoimmune inflammatory disease, underscoring its importance for maintaining organismal health. Despite its significance, however, the reliance of regulatory T cells on Foxp3 in disease contexts like infection and cancer remains incompletely understood. Dr. Schiepers [HHMI Fellow] will study the fate and function of regulatory T cells in these settings using mouse genetics approaches and disease models of melanoma and colorectal cancer. Dr. Schiepers received his PhD from The Rockefeller University, New York and his MS and BS from Utrecht University, Utrecht.