Arthur Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.

The response of T lymphocytes to antigen presents a unique opportunity to study how complex molecular interactions between cells can lead to cell differentiation and proliferation. We are interested in understanding how T and B cell receptors involved in antigen recognition initiate signal transduction events that regulate cell responses. We know that such receptors functionally interact with tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, enzymes that regulate protein phosphorylation, to induce signaling pathways that regulate gene expression. By studying the mechanisms by which these molecules are regulated and how they control cellular responses in development, we hope to understand how signaling pathways in normal immune responses and how perturbations in these pathways can lead to immune deficiency or autoimmunity.