Quen Cheng

TITLE: Assistant Clinical Professor
EMAIL: quencheng@nullucla.edu
LAB WEBSITE: https://chenglab.dgsom.ucla.edu/pages/
EDUCATION:
Ph.D., UC Los Angeles (2020)
M.D., UC San Diego (2012)
B.A., UC Berkeley (2005)

Biography

As an infectious diseases physician-scientist, my research is motivated by the mysteries I encounter in my medical practice. One such conundrum is how the same infection can cause highly variable outcomes in different patients. One of the factors that determines infection severity is the “context” in which the immune system is operating. This context can include age, sex, chronic diseases, and importantly, also the recent exposure history of an immune cell. When innate immune cells such as macrophages are exposed to cytokines and pathogen-associated molecules their signaling networks and epigenetic states get re-wired. This reprogramming affects their response to a subsequent infection and may also lead to post-infectious immune dysfunction. My research examines the molecular mechanisms of macrophage reprogramming and how this relates to the variable outcomes of human infections.

Awards & Fellowships:

2022 – NIH-NIAID K08 career development award
2020 – UCLA CTSI KL2 career development award
Nov 2019 Invited speaker, NIH/NIAID Symposium on Innate Immune Memory
Oct 2018 UCLA Department of Medicine Research Symposium Poster Competition, 3rd place
Sep 2018 Research Innovator Award, Department of Medicine, UCLA
2015-current Fellowship for Specialized Training in Advanced Research (STAR), UCLA
May 2015 Outstanding Fellow Teaching Award, UCLA
July 2013 Commendation of Excellence in Medical Student Teaching, UCLA
Dec 2012 Commendation of Excellence in Medical Student Teaching, UCLA
Dec 2012 Commendation of Excellence in Patient Communication, UCLA
June 2012 Thomas E. Carew Prize for Cardiovascular Research
June 2012 Samuel B. Hamburger Memorial Thesis Award for Outstanding Research Project
Jan 2010 Award for Best Use of Literature, NIH Trainees’ Poster Session
April 2009 Awardee, NIH Short-Term Research Training Grant

Publications:

1. NF-κB dynamics determine the stimulus specificity of epigenomic reprogramming in macrophages. Q.J. Cheng, Ohta, S., Sheu, K.M., Spreafico, R., Adelaja, A., Talor, B., Hoffmann, A. Science, 2018 June 18.

2. Type I and type II interferon modulate NFκB signaling via distinct mechanisms. EL Mercado, S Mitchell, J Ho, K Fortmann, A Adelaja, QJ Cheng, G Ghosh, A Hoffmann. Frontiers in Immunology, 2019 June 25.

3. Sequential conditioning-stimulation reveals distinct gene- and stimulus-specific effects of Type I and II IFN on human macrophage functions. Q Cheng, F Behzadi, S Sen, S Ohta, R Spreafico, R Teles, R Modlin, A Hoffmann. Scientific Reports, 2019 Mar 27.

4. Duodenoscope-related outbreak of a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae identified using advanced molecular diagnostics. RM Humphries, S Yang, S Kim, VR Muthusamy, D Russell, A Trout, T Zaroda, QJ Cheng, G Aldrovandi, DZ Uslan, P Hemarajata, Z Rubin. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Aug 8.

5. Probing chromatin landscape reveals roles of endocardial TBX20 in septation. CJ Boogerd, I Aneas, N Sakabe, RJ Dirschinger, QJ Cheng, B Zhou, J Chen, MA Nobrega, SM Evans. J Clin Invest. 2016 Jun 27.

6. Who provides primary care? An assessment of HIV patient and provider practices and preferences. QJ Cheng, EM Engelage, TR Grogan, JS Currier, RM Hoffman. J AIDS Clin Res. 2014 Nov; 5(11).

7. Characterization of a Y-Family DNA Polymerase eta from the Eukaryotic Thermophile Alvinella pompejana. S Kashiwagi, I Kuraoka, Y Fujiwara, K Hitomi, QJ Cheng, JO Fuss, DS Shin, C Masutani, JA Tainer, F Hanaoka, S Iwai. J. Nucleic Acids 2010, 701472.

8. XPD helicase structures and activities: insights into the cancer and aging phenotypes from XPD mutations. L Fan, JO Fuss, QJ Cheng, AS Arvai, M Hammel, VA Roberts, PK Cooper, JA Tainer. Cell 2008, 133:789.

Kensei Kishimoto

TITLE: Undergraduate Student
MAJOR: Biochemistry
MINOR: Bioinformatics
EMAIL: kenseikishimoto0130@nullgmail.com

Biography

I am interested in studying transcriptional regulation. My current project aims to elucidate a role of GAF as a mediator of gene expression in type I IFN signaling mainly through RNA-seq and ChIP-seq. I aspire to pursue MD/PhD and become a physician-scientist as a next step after graduation. When I am not in lab, I like watching anime and listening to songs nobody has heard of.

Awards

Awardee, Bruins-In-Genomics Summer Program Grant (June 2017-2018)
Best Poster Award, Bruins-In-Genomics Summer Grant (August 2017)
Most Dedicated Volunteer Award, BFPC (May 2017)
Dean’s List (Fall 2017 – present)
Honors College Program, UCLA (Fall 2017 – present)

Alma Zuniga Munoz

TITLE: Undergraduate Student
MAJOR: Physiological Sciences
MINOR: Chicano Studies

Biography

My research investigates the dynamics of the transcription factor ISGF3 under type I and III interferon stimulation by analyzing components of the JAK-STAT pathway, such as STAT1, JAK1, and TYK2. I am an avid music fan, avocado enthusiast, and I enjoy being at the bench conducting experiments.

Awards

CARE Scholar (Fall 2018 – Present)
UCLA Regents Scholar (2017)

Aditya Pimplaskar

TITLE: Undergraduate Student
MAJOR: Computational and Systems Biology

Biography

My work focuses around bioinformatics and data analysis for the lab. I am currently working on analyzing ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data, along with performing DNA motif-oriented analysis to investigate DNA-binding mechanisms of RelA. In my spare time, I enjoy playing and listening to music, playing and watching sports, and experiencing the variety of cuisines that Los Angeles has to offer.

Eason Lin

TITLE: Graduate Student (PhD)
PROGRAM: Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) (2014 – present)
EMAIL: yul128@nullucla.edu
EDUCATION:
M.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 2013
B.S. in Life Science, National Taiwan University, 2009

Biography

My current research focuses on how inflammation impacts early B lymphopoiesis and upstream hematopoiesis in aging. By using quantitative muti-color flow cytometry analysis, in vivo bone marrow chimera experiments, mathematical modeling, and single-cell transcriptomic profiling, we can pin down the stage that is substantially impacted by the activation of inflammatory signaling and the discrepancy between cell-surface marker and transcriptomic profiles between developmental stages. My hobbies include film/digital photography and cooking.

Awards & Fellowships:

Warsaw Fellowship, Jul. 2018, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Top Poster Award, Jun. 2018, Immunology, Inflammation, Infection, and Transplantation research theme retreat, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Sidney C. Rittenberg Award, Dec. 2015, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Publications

Koushik Roy, Simon Mitchell, Yi Liu, Sho Ohta, Yu-Sheng Lin, Marie Oliver Metzig, Stephen L Nutt and Alexander Hoffmann, A Regulatory Circuit Controlling the Dynamics of NFκB cRel Transitions B Cells from Proliferation to Plasma Cell Differentiation, Immunity, Immunity. 2019 Mar 19;50(3):616-628

Riku Fagerlund, Marcelo Behar, Karen T. Fortmann, Y. Eason Lin, Jesse D. Vargas, and Alexander Hoffmann, Anatomy of a negative feedback loop: the case of IκBα, J R Soc Interface. 2015 Sep 6;12(110):0262

Tsung-Feng Wu, Tony Minghung Yen, Yuanyuan Han, Yu-Jui Chiu, Eason Y.-S. Lin and Yu-Hwa Lo, A light-sheet microscope compatible with mobile devices for label-free intracellular imaging and biosensing, Lab Chip. 2014 Sep 7;14(17):3341-8

Parker Mitchell

TITLE: Undergraduate Student
MAJOR: Biochemistry

Biography

My research aims to investigate factors influencing B cell activation with subsequent proliferation and differentiation. Specifically, I study B cell population dynamics and NFκB regulation associated with immunological disease such as B cell lymphoma. I am particularly interested in induced pathways that affect inflammatory and immune responses. My hobbies include surfing, basketball, hiking, volunteering and traveling.

Awards

UT Southwestern Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2019)
UCLA Biochemistry College Honors (2016-present)
Dean’s Honors List (2016-present)
IFC Academic Merit Scholarship Recipient (2018)
Alan MacMorran Memorial Scholarship Award (2017)

Jayesh Menon

TITLE: Undergraduate Student
MAJOR: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (Departmental Honors Candidate)
EMAIL: jaymenon@nullucla.edu

Biography

My work aims at understanding how macrophages are able to distinguish different stimuli to elicit stimuli-specific responses. Particularly, I am interested in how macrophages differentiate between different ligands by documenting the NF-kB dynamics of these cells in response to stimulation with various ligands. Specific aims of my work focus on measuring NF-kB dynamics in response to both PAMPs and DAMPs recognized by TLR4 and characterizing how tolerance induced by pre-exposure effects NF-kB dynamics in macrophages. During my free time, I enjoy hiking on the various trails in the Los Angeles area.

Stefanie Luecke

TITLE: Postdoctoral Scholar
EMAIL: stefanieluecke@nullg.ucla.edu
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark, 2018
M.Sc. in Infection and Immunity, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, 2014
B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, 2012

Research Interests

I am investigating how combinatorial and temporal codes generated by the innate immune signaling network act together to determine stimulus-specific macrophage responses.

Publications

1: Luecke S*, Sheu KM*, Hoffmann A. Immune Sentinel Cells: Molecular Mechanisms for Combinatorial and Temporal Coding to Produce Stimulus-Appropriate Responses. Immunity. 2021; 54(9):1915-1932. Review. *SL and KMS contributed equally.

2: Juul-Madsen K, Troldborg A, Wittenborn TR, Axelsen MG, Zhao H, Klausen LH, Luecke S, Paludan SR, Steengaard-Pedersen K, Dong M, Møller HJ, Thiel S, Jensen H, Schuck P, Sutherland DS, Degn SE, Vorup-Jensen T. Characterization of DNA-protein complexes by nanoparticle tracking analysis and their association with systemic lupus erythematosus. PNAS. 2021;118(30).

3: Adelaja A*, Taylor B*, Sheu KM, Liu Y, Luecke S, Hoffmann A. Six distinct NFκB signaling codons convey discrete information to distinguish stimuli and enable appropriate macrophage responses. Immunity. 2021; 54, 916-930. *AA and BT contributed equally.

4: Chitadze, G, Lettau, M, Peters, C, Luecke S, Flueh C, Quabius ES, Synowitz M, Held-Feindt J, Kabelitz D. Erroneous expression of NKG2D on granulocytes detected by phycoerythrin-conjugated clone 149810 antibody. Cytometry. 2021; 1– 11.

5: Sheu KM*, Luecke S*, Hoffmann A. Stimulus-specificity in the responses of immune sentinel cells. Curr Opin Syst Biol. 2019; 18:53-61. Review. *KMS and SL contributed equally.

6: Sun C*, Luecke S*, Bodda C, Jønsson KL, Cai Y, Zhang BC, Jensen SB, Nordentoft I, Jensen JM, Jakobsen MR, Paludan SR. Cellular Requirements for Sensing and Elimination of Incoming HSV-1 DNA and Capsids. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2019 Mar 11. doi: 10.1089/jir.2018.0141.  *CS and SLcontributed equally

7: Chitadze G, Flüh C, Quabius ES, Freitag-Wolf S, Peters C, Lettau M, Bhat J, Wesch D, Oberg HH, Luecke S, Janssen O, Synowitz M, Held-Feindt J, Kabelitz D. In-depth immunophenotyping of patients with glioblastoma multiforme: Impact of steroid treatment. Oncoimmunology. 2017 Aug 8;6(11):e1358839. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1358839.

8: Luecke S, Holleufer A, Christensen MH, Jønsson KL, Boni GA, Sørensen LK, Johannsen M, Jakobsen MR, Hartmann R, Paludan SR. cGAS is activated by DNA in a length-dependent manner. EMBO Rep. 2017 Oct;18(10):1707-1715. doi: 10.15252/embr.201744017.

9: Ogunjimi B, Zhang SY, Sørensen KB, Skipper KA, Carter-Timofte M, Kerner G, Luecke S, Prabakaran T, Cai Y, Meester J, Bartholomeus E, Bolar NA, Vandeweyer G, Claes C, Sillis Y, Lorenzo L, Fiorenza RA, Boucherit S, Dielman C, Heynderickx S, Elias G, Kurotova A, Auwera AV, Verstraete L, Lagae L, Verhelst H, Jansen A, Ramet J, Suls A, Smits E, Ceulemans B, Van Laer L, Plat Wilson G, Kreth J, Picard C, Von Bernuth H, Fluss J, Chabrier S, Abel L, Mortier G, Fribourg S, Mikkelsen JG, Casanova JL, Paludan SR, Mogensen TH. Inborn errors in RNA polymerase III underlie severe varicella zoster virus infections. J Clin Invest. 2017 Sep 1;127(9):3543-3556. doi: 10.1172/JCI92280.

10: Luecke S, Paludan SR. Molecular requirements for sensing of intracellular microbial nucleic acids by the innate immune system. Cytokine. 2017 Oct; 98:4-14. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.10.003. Review.

11: Christensen MH, Jensen SB, Miettinen JJ, Luecke S, Prabakaran T, Reinert LS, Mettenleiter T, Chen ZJ, Knipe DM, Sandri-Goldin RM, Enquist LW, Hartmann R, Mogensen TH, Rice SA, Nyman TA, Matikainen S, Paludan SR. HSV-1 ICP27 targets the TBK1-activated STING signalsome to inhibit virus-induced type I IFN expression. EMBO J. 2016 Jul 1;35(13):1385-99. doi: 10.15252/embj.201593458.

12: Chitadze G, Lettau M, Luecke S, Wang T, Janssen O, Fürst D, Mytilineos J, Wesch D, Oberg HH, Held-Feindt J, Kabelitz D. NKG2D- and T-cell receptor-dependent lysis of malignant glioma cell lines by human γδ T cells: Modulation by temozolomide and A disintegrin and metalloproteases 10 and 17 inhibitors. Oncoimmunology. 2015 Dec 10;5(4):e1093276.

13: Luecke S, Paludan SR. Innate recognition of alphaherpesvirus DNA. Adv Virus Res. 2015;92:63-100. doi: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2014.11.003. Review.

Xiaofei (Fay) Lin

TITLE: Graduate Student (PhD)
PROGRAM: Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology (BMSB) (2016 – present)
EMAIL: xlin16@nullucla.edu
EDUCATION:
B.A. in Biology (Honors), New York University – 2016

Biography

My research aims to use mathematical modeling in the context of high cell-to-cell variability to elucidate the network behavior of the NFκB system for applications in therapeutics. Specific aims of my project include developing novel methods for quantitatively fitting math models to single-cell data, identifying key stimulus-specific NFκB dynamics, pinpointing crucial sources of molecular noise that diminish NFκB information encoding, and understanding the mechanisms for decoding NFκB dynamics into stimulus-specific gene expression. I am particularly passionate about advocating for mental health awareness in graduate education. My hobbies include yoga and photography.

Awards & Fellowships:

UCLA Grad Slam – Audience Choice Award (2019) (Talk Title: Deciphering the Immune System Code – VIDEO HERE)
UCLA Cellular and Molecular Biology Trainee (2018-present)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) – Honorable Mention (2018)

 

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Simon Mitchell

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