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Craig J. Lobb, Ph.D. |
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Professor
Ph.D., Utah State University
Primary Research Interest:
The emphasis of our research is to understand the early
phylogenetic mechanisms underlying the structural diversification
of immunoglobulin (antibody) genes and their patterns
of utilization in response to immunization.
The production of specific antibodies by induction of the humoral immune system
is essential for protective immunity. Antibodies are composed of two basic polypeptides
referred to as the heavy (H) and light (L) chains whose variable regions are
encoded in the genome by complex gene systems. These gene systems referred to
as V, D, and J undergo somatic recombination to form the rearranged V(D)J and
this structure encodes the inherent specificity of the induced antibody.
The structure and organization of the mammalian H chain locus had its fundamental
foundation established at the level of the bony fish wherein the VH segments
are located upstream of DH and JH segments which are in turn located upstream
of constant (C) region exons. Within this framework, an explosion of VH gene
diversity resulted in multiple VH families, with the channel catfish (our laboratory
animal model) presently having the highest number of different VH families known
among the vertebrates.
In contrast to the organization of H chain genes, the genomic organization of
L chain genes in bony fish is different from that known in other vertebrates.
The L chain gene segments in bony fish are not organized like the H chains, rather
these V, J, and C segments are organized in multiple genomic clusters. Within
each of these clusters, VL and JL segments are closely linked to a single constant
region gene. These different L chains are represented by different classes reminiscent
of the kappa and lambda chains of higher vertebrates. As our understanding for
the genetic basis of immunoglobulin diversity has expanded, we are focusing directions
to understand the mechanisms of gene utilization in response to both systemic
and local (secretory) immunization. These directions should provide fundamental
basic knowledge and provide basic foundations for applied research. The members
of my laboratory and I would be pleased to talk with prospective students and
we welcome you inquiries.
Publications:
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