Welcome to the Jaspan Lab

Jaspan Lab

The Jaspan Lab seeks to better understand the interplay between host microbial and immunological factors that impacts susceptibility to infectious diseases in infant and adolescents from sub-Saharan Africa. Our overarching goal is to pinpoint mechanisms by which dynamic community structures of commensal bacteria regulate immunology at mucosal surfaces and how that ultimately mitigates or promotes susceptibility to infectious disease. We additionally seek to elucidate the role that maternal HIV infection has on these commensal communities, and the resultant effects of HIV exposure on infant immunity immunology and vaccine responses. We utilize clinical, preclinical and computational approaches to address these topics.

Research Projects

Altered Microbiota and Immunity of HIV-Exposed Infants

Infants who are HIV-exposed but remain uninfected (iHEU) experience higher rates of infectious morbidity and mortality compared to infants who are HIV-unexposed uninfected (iHUU).

Genital Tract Microbiota and Infectious Disease Susceptibility

Using an array of sequencing techniques, our lab investigates how changes in the genital microbiota of woman in sub-Saharan Africa can influence their reproductive health.

Meet Our Team

Meet the Jaspan Lab team.

Join the Lab

In the News

Jan. 30, 2023
Copper Intrauterine Device Affects Vaginal Bacteria and Inflammation

July 1, 2022
Publication Q&A: Factors Influencing Maternal Microchimerism Throughout Infancy and its Impact on Infant T cell Immunity

Contact Us

Heather B Jaspan, MD, PhD

For questions or inquiries,
email: heather.jaspan@seattlechildrens.org
telephone: 206-854-3336

Physical Address

Center for Global Infectious Disease Research
307 Westlake Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109