Latest Research
2026
January 21
Congratulations to Ahmed Kabil and the research team from the McNagny Lab on their recent publication in Cell Reports titled “Early-life microbiota skews long-term gene expression and chromatin states of bone marrow hematopoietic precursors.”
This study shows that neonatal depletion of short-chain fatty acid (SFCA)-producing gut microbiota alters gene expression in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and imprints a persistent, transplantable atopic immune phenotype. These changes have long-term consequences for allergy susceptibility and recovery from chemotherapy-induced damage.
Ahmed Kabil, who was part of the ImmnuoE program, recently completed his PhD in the McNagny Lab at UBC's School of Biomedical Engineering, and has since started a post-doctoral fellowship at the Harvard Medical School. Maggie Chopra, a co-author and MD-PhD student, is actively involved in the ImmunoT&E Trainee Committee.
January 28
Congratulations to Dr. Carolina Tropini and her team on their recent publication in Cell on January 28, 2026 titled “A Bacteroides synthetic biology toolkit to build an in vivo malabsorption biosensor.”
In this study, researchers engineered gut bacteria to fluoresce under normal conditions and dim in response to osmotic stress—an indicator of impaired nutrient absorption in the gut. Tested in mice, this biosensor was shown to detect subtle, pre-symptomatic changes, enabling non-invasive, continuous health monitoring through stool samples and offering the potential to identify illness before clinical symptoms appear.
Dr. Tropini supports the ImmunoE Program as an active mentor for graduate students.
2025
September 02
Innate lymphoid cells in the spotlight: from biomarkers to blueprint for innovative immunotherapy
August 18
The regulation of miR-155 strand selection by CELF2, FUBP1 and KSRP proteins
August 04
The Parkinson's drug benztropine possesses histamine receptor 1-dependent host-directed antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
July 15
Delivering a collaborative, discipline specific, and equity, diversity, and inclusion-centered teaching assistant training program in the life sciences
July 07
Human milk IgA promotes normal immune development by limiting Th17-inducing Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum in the infant gut
Contact Information
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