Nathan Peters

The Peters lab is focused on the immuno-biology of chronic infectious diseases, with a special emphasis on vector transmitted and neglected tropical diseases. The lab employs cutting edge multicolor flow cytometry and two-photon microscopy to unravel the intricacies of host-pathogen interactions in the skin and internal organs employing the Leishmania model of parasitic disease. Our research investigates the earliest events in the host response, including inflammatory cell interactions with vector inoculated parasites, and the regulation and expression of immunity to reinfection, including an exploration of the concept of immune memory during chronic infections. We aim to better understand how inflammation alters the regulation and expression of immunity, including vaccine-mediated immunity. The goal of the lab is to develop new therapies and vaccines to combat those infectious diseases that impact the world’s most neglected populations.

The lab employs experimental rodent models of the different forms of leishmaniasis seen in humans and dogs and maintains colonies of vector sand flies to study Leishmaniasis following transmission of Leishmania via sand fly bite.