Hacohen Laboratory

The goal of Hacohen‘s lab is to understand how the mammalian immune system recognizes and responds appropriately to the diversity of antigens that it encounters, including bacteria, viruses and self antigens (i.e. normal cellular antigens). To study the molecular basis of this response, research studies look closely at the response of dendritic cells to these antigens. Dendritic cells are the most potent antigen presenting cells known and are able to initiate the adaptive immune response through the recognition and processing of almost any antigen that they encounter. Building on extensive experience in genetics (see publications), a variety of innovative genome-wide approaches are used to identify and manipulate essential genes involved in this process. Through a variety of classical immunological techniques and modern genetic approaches, the lab is trying to determine how a variety of antigens stimulate an immune response.