Biological and Biomedical Science
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Diane Mathis

Section on Immunology and Immunogenetics, Joslin Diabetes Center
Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, HMS
The Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University

Joslin Diabetes Center
One Joslin Place
Boston, MA 02215
Tel: (617) 264-2743
Fax: (617) 264-2744
Email: dm@joslin.harvard.edu

Web Page: The Mathis Lab Page
18 postdoctoral fellows; 5 graduate students

Our lab works in the fields of autoimmunity and T cell differentiation, with a special emphasis on exploiting the most advanced transgenic and gene-targeting technologies to engineer new mouse models. Studies on T cell differentiation focus on generation and selection of the T cell repertoire in the thymus, cellular and molecular influences on T cell survival in the periphery, and the generation, homeostasis and activities of T regulatory(Treg) cells. Studies on autoimmunity explore the immunological mechanisms of type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and APECED (AIRE deficiency). Major questions tackled are what initiates these diseases, how is their progression regulated, and what are the final effector mechanisms. In addition, modern genetic and genomic approaches are used to identify disease-modifying genes in both human patients and mouse models. The application of computational and bioinformatic strategies to these and other issues is actively pursued. Lastly, we have been engaged in a collaborative effort to develop and apply novel whole-mouse imaging strategies to immunological problems.

 

References:

  • S. Zucchelli, P Holler, T. Yamagata, M. Roy, C. Benoist and D. Mathis. Defective central tolerance in NOD mice: genomics and genetics. Immunity 2005; 22:385-396.
  • B. Binstadt, P. Pate, H. Alencar, P.Nigrovic, DM Lee, U. Mahmood, R. Weissleder, D. Mathis and C. Benoist. Particularities of the vasculature can promote the organ specificity of autoimmune attack. Nature Immunol. 2006; 7: 284-292.
  • J. Nishio, J. Gaglia, S. Turvey, C. Benoist and D. Mathis. Islet recovery and reversal of murine type-1 diabetes, in the absence of infused spleen cell contribution. Science 2006; 311: 1775-8.
  • D Mathis and C. Benoist. A decade of AIRE. Nature Reviews Imm. 2007; 7: 645-50.