Butte Research Lab

Addressing fundamental and translational questions in immunology

The fundamental focus of the lab is on human genetic immune diseases. These rare, inborn errors of immunity arise in children and adults and lead to infections, autoimmunity, immune dysregulation, inflammation, and cancer. We aim to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and cures of these diseases. We also have projects in vaccine development, metabolism, and mechanobiology (how cells make and sense mechanical forces). Many of these projects employ techniques from bioengineering, advanced microscopy, synthetic biology, and genetic sequencing. We believe that developing a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of the immune system improves our ability to treat autoimmunity, cancer, and infections.