Investigators and Program Directors
Donal B. Murphy
Research Scientist, Wadsworth Center
Professor, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D., University of Michigan (1974)
Postdoctoral training, Stanford University
Research Interests
Genes mapping in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encode molecules that are involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to the immune system. MHC class I molecules play a key role in cellular immunity against intracellular pathogens and MHC class II molecules are involved in cellular and humoral immunity against intracellular and extracellular pathogens. Research in my laboratory focuses on the expression and function of both MHC class I and class II molecules. I am particularly interested in the analysis of self peptides that associate with class II molecules and their influence on T lymphocyte selection during development in the thymus, and on exploring the function of nonclassical class I molecules. The ultimate goal of these studies is to understand how the MHC regulates immune responses.
Contact Information
E-mail: murphy@wadsworth.org.