The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Microbiology & ImmunologyMorel Autoimmunity Lab
Laurence Morel · San Antonio, Texas
Research Focus
The lab led by Dr. Laurence Morel focuses on understanding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease characterized by inappropriate immune responses. They investigate how specific cells in the immune system, particularly follicular helper T cells, contribute to the disease, and explore the effects of gut bacteria on immune function and disease severity. By studying the interaction between metabolism and immune response, the lab aims to find potential treatments to alleviate lupus symptoms through dietary and pharmacological interventions.
lupusfollicular helper T cellsgut microbiomeautoimmunitymetabolic regulationbacterial dysbiosistrypophan metabolismtherapeutic interventionsmouse modelsimmune response
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how glycolytic inhibitors affect Tfh cell function and lupus symptoms.
AIM 02Explore the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis in the progression of lupus.
AIM 03Characterize the influence of dietary tryptophan on immune activation in lupus models.
AIM 04Identify the mechanisms through which specific gut bacteria promote autoantibody production.
AIM 05Study the genetic factors contributing to lupus susceptibility in mouse models.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureanimal modelsmetabolic assaysRNA sequencingflow cytometrygenetic analysisdietary intervention studiesimmunology techniquesdata analysismolecular biology
Output against the department
Publications426top 8% of dept.38th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations15ktop 26% of dept.124th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.