Hohman, Valerie - University of San Diego, USD

个人简介

PhD, University of Arizona, Microbiology and Immunology BS, University of California, Irvine, Biological Sciences

研究领域

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Hohman's research interests are in the evolution of the immune system. Her current projects are aimed at characterizing J chain and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in lower vertebrates. In mammals, these two molecules have an important role in antibody-mediated secretory immunity, the protection of mucous membranes, such as those lining the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, by secretory antibodies. As a comparative immunologist, Hohman is interested in the roles of J chain and pIgR in secretory antibody transfer in lower vertebrates and in the evolution of this transfer mechanism throughout the vertebrates. Her projects include a comparative analysis of J chain DNA sequences from an array of shark and ray species, and identification and characterization of pIgR molecules in amphibians and fish. Hohman's most recent publications on the nurse shark J chain and on pIgR from the amphibian Xenopus laevis have been in the Journal of Immunology.