University of Maryland, Baltimore · Microbiology & ImmunologyPedra Immunology Lab
Joao Pedra · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Joao Pedra's lab focuses on understanding how ticks interact with their mammalian hosts during feeding. They explore the role of tick saliva and its extracellular vesicles in influencing skin homeostasis, particularly in how these components affect specific immune cells and skin healing processes. The lab aims to uncover the biological mechanisms of tick-borne disease transmission and how these interactions impact public health.
tick salivapathogen transmissionextracellular vesiclesimmune responsewound healingdendritic T cellskeratinocytesmicrobial diseasesarthropod biology
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate the effect of tick extracellular vesicles on the crosstalk between dendritic epidermal T cells and keratinocytes.
AIM 02Assess how tick extracellular vesicles affect epidermal wound healing during feeding.
AIM 03Examine the impact of tick feeding on skin homeostasis and microbial transmission.
AIM 04Explore the intricate biology of tick feeding and host interactions.
Skills the Lab Values
flow cytometrysingle-cell RNA sequencingintravital imagingcell sortingmurine geneticslineage tracingcell culturedata analysismolecular assays
Output against the department
Publications84bottom 28% of dept.352nd of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.2kbottom 32% of dept.329th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
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