Hohman, Valerie - University of San Diego, USD

个人简介

PhD, University of Arizona, Microbiology and Immunology BS, University of California, Irvine, Biological Sciences

研究领域

查看导师新发文章（温馨提示：请注意重名现象，建议点开原文通过作者单位确认）

Hohman's research interests are in the evolution of the immune system. Her current projects are aimed at characterizing J chain and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in lower vertebrates. In mammals, these two molecules have an important role in antibody-mediated secretory immunity, the protection of mucous membranes, such as those lining the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, by secretory antibodies. As a comparative immunologist, Hohman is interested in the roles of J chain and pIgR in secretory antibody transfer in lower vertebrates and in the evolution of this transfer mechanism throughout the vertebrates. Her projects include a comparative analysis of J chain DNA sequences from an array of shark and ray species, and identification and characterization of pIgR molecules in amphibians and fish. Hohman's most recent publications on the nurse shark J chain and on pIgR from the amphibian Xenopus laevis have been in the Journal of Immunology.