Our research focuses on the interaction of T lymphocytes with dendritic cells and/or macrophages and the role this interaction plays in the induction of adaptive immunity. Our work centers on five model systems: 1) adaptive immunity against Mycobacterium avium, an opportunistic infectious agent prevalent on the border, 2) adaptive immunity induced in individuals with Type II Diabetes, an endocrine disease prevalent amongst Hispanic populations, 3) adaptive immunity of the autoimmune disease Type I Diabetes, and lastly, 4) modulation of adaptive immunity by chemotherapeutics and by nanocarbon particulates found in the air. We are particularly interested in understanding how dendritic cells or macrophages are affected by intracellular bacteria, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), naphthoquinones, and nanocarbon particules and how these factors ultimately modulate the activation of T cells.

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