Gern Lab
Studying host-pathogen interactions as they occur in tissues
Tuberculosis kills 1.5 million people annually and is a top 10 leading cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, the limited efficacy of the only licensed tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) and the need for challenging, prolonged antibiotic treatment hamper our efforts to combat this deadly pandemic. To develop improved vaccines and treatments to combat tuberculosis, we need a better understanding of what is happening at the epicenter of infection: the pulmonary granuloma.
To better understand the events within this epicenter of infection, the Gern Lab investigates host-pathogen interactions within the granuloma, with the ultimate goal of informing the design of improved treatments and vaccines. We utilize a combination of physiologic mouse models, human tissues, advanced immunologic tools, and cutting-edge quantitative imaging.
In so doing, we have uncovered a dominant factor (TGFβ) that limits immunity within the granuloma, gained insight into aspects of the early events of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, and characterized organizational features of tuberculous granulomas. We have also begun to characterize how different inflammatory responses lead to the wide range of pathologic structures that are a feature of tuberculosis disease. In the future, we have plans to test whether these processes are present in human granulomas and explore whether we can use treatments to shape these processes and improve infection outcomes.
Benjamin Henry Gern, MD
Ben is a Principal Investigator at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Washington. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, Ben spent time in Dr. Bruce Klein’s lab at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He received his MD from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, then completed Pediatric Residency at Oregon Health and Science University. Ben completed Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, during which he underwent postdoctoral training with Drs. Kevin Urdahl and Michael Gerner. Outside of the lab, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, biking, and paddling around the Pacific Northwest.
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Haley Chee
Undergraduate Student
Haley is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington and plans to graduate with a BS in biochemistry and a minor in bioethics. She previously worked in Dr. Pradip Rathod’s lab studying the effects of TrtE on malaria. Haley’s research interests include developing process improvements for the lab, and examining host-pathogen interactions via confocal imaging.
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Liberty Juno
Research Scientist I
Liberty recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. in Cellular Neuroscience and Marine Biology. She completed her undergraduate thesis on the cranial nerves and neuroanatomy of a deep-sea fish genus in the Moore Laboratory before moving to Seattle shortly after graduation. Her research interests lie in developing advanced imaging techniques to understand Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Outside of the lab, Liberty enjoys rock climbing, baking bread, and birdwatching.
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Molly Kanagy
Graduate Student
Molly is a graduate student in the Pathobiology program through the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington. She completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Whitman College and spent time working in Dr. Justin Taylor’s lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center before beginning her graduate education. Her research interests are in exploring in host immune factors which contribute to distinct pulmonary pathology and progression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. In her free time Molly enjoys trying-out different recipes, working in her garden, and exploring new trails.
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Sylvia Stull, BS
Research Lab Supervisor, Lab Manager
Sylvia is a career laboratory scientist. After earning her BS in biology from the University of Washington, she began her career working in husbandry and spent many years working with multiple labs at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, including an extended period working in an immunology lab. Outside of the lab, Sylvia enjoys volunteering at the zoo and is an avid world traveler.
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Riley Zielinski
Graduate Student
Riley is a current graduate student in the Pathobiology program. She completed her undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College, where her senior thesis was advised by Dr. Ronan Carroll. She is additionally an alumna of the DAAD RISE exchange program, in which she completed a research project with Dr. Frank Mockenhaupt in Berlin, Germany. Her current research interests include exploring factors that contribute to Mycobacterium tuberculosis lesion structure and pathology. In her free time, she is an avid reader and embroiderer.